Words of Gratitude from Patriarch Cardinal Raï to the Holy Father Leo XIV Following the solemn Mass at the Seaside Arena in Beirut

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 10:30 a.m.

Most Holy Father,

At the close of this Eucharistic celebration, marked by the depth of our faith and the warmth of the bonds that unite us, I am deeply honored, on behalf of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon, as well as all the religious communities of our country, so fittingly represented here, to express our heartfelt gratitude and the spiritual joy stirred by your paternal presence among us. Your visit enlightens our minds and rekindles our resolve to work tirelessly for peace, fraternity, and dialogue among all the sons and daughters of our beloved land.

Most Holy Father,

Your words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have echoed within our souls as a call to remain faithful witnesses of Christ, bearers of light, justice, hope, and joy. You remind us powerfully that our mission, in these challenging times, is to build bridges, foster unity, and serve the common good of our nation and of the region.

We thank you for your pastoral solicitude toward our faithful, for your encouragement to our young people and families, and for your consoling presence alongside those who carry the weight of suffering and trial. Your message of fraternity and communion between Christians and Muslims, and, more broadly, among all the components of Lebanese society, stands as a beacon illuminating our path out of adversity and guiding our hearts toward renewed life.

Most Holy Father,

We renew the expression of our unwavering filial devotion, together with the assurance of our fervent prayers for your apostolic ministry and for the universal Church. May the Lord sustain your steps as a Messenger of reconciliation, and may the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lebanon, surround you with her maternal tenderness and watch over you in your exalted mission as Pontiff of universal fraternity and lasting peace.

Thank you, Most Holy Father, for who you are, for your blessing, for your love, and for your paternal closeness.