Pope in Palace for spiritual and diplomatic meetings

Pope Benedict XVI stands next to Lebanese President Michel Suleiman Beirut – Georges Chahine Pope Benedict XVI spent two hours in the Presidential Palace on the second day of his visit to Lebanon discussing politics, leadership and spirituality. He arrived in Baabda this afternoon in a special convertible car, known as the “Popemobile” where he was greeted by large crowds lined up on both sides. Thousands of people turned up from different Lebanese regions to get a glimpse of the Pope, who was escorted by huge security convoys.
The Lebanese and Vatican flags were raised and the Pope saluted the crowds, as he waved to them. An image of President Michel Suleiman and several white triumphal arches extended from one side of the street to the other, with welcoming words in Arabic and foreign languages including Italian, German, French and English.
At the entrance of the Presidential Palace, the President and his wife received him with honour and accompanied him to the October 22 Salon, which were decorated with roses and Lebanese and Vatican flags.
In his two hours scheduled in the palace, Pope Benedict XVI met Lebanese senior officials starting with the President, then the President of the Parliament followed by the Prime Minister.
Later today, the Pope will meet members of the government, state bodies, diplomatic corps, heads of sects and culture figures. He will hand the heads of the Islamic sects a copy of the Apostolic Exhortation which he signed yesterday in Harissa. This is inspired by Synodal recommendations about the Middle East and his discussions, inviting the Christians to hold onto their land and not to migrate, stressing the importance of their presence in the region and their relationship with the other religions.