Israeli-Hezbollah War: Pope Leo mourns killing of Catholic priest in Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow over the killing of catholic priest, Fr. Pierre El-Rahi, who died in Lebanon, amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The pontiff, in a condolence message at his weekly General Audience in the Vatican on Wednesday, mourned the death of Mr El-Rahi while offering prayers for the victim and renewing his peace across the Middle East.
He stated, “Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort for those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.”
The pope acknowledged Mr El-Rahi was a “true shepherd”, who was dedicated to his people with love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
”May the Lord grant that the blood he shed may be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon,” the pontiff said.
Mr El-Rahi, a Maronite parish priest in southern Lebanon, succumbed to bomb blast wounds in Qlayaa on Monday, while trying to help parishioners whose houses were burned down by Israel’s strike forces.
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