The Press Office of the Holy See reports that Leo XIV prays for the cessation of all hostility in the regions of the Middle East. The Pontiff dedicated a thought to “so many innocent people, including many children” who have died in the bombings and “to those who helped them”, such as Father Pierre El-Rahi, the Maronite priest who died today due to an attack in Lebanon.
Vatican News
It is “deep sorrow” that Pope Leo
This is the Maronite priest murdered this afternoon in Qlaya during an attack that hit a house in the area of his parish, in the mountains, wounding one of the parishioners. According to what the Franciscan Father Toufic Bou Merhi told the Vatican media, Father Pierre ran with dozens of other young people to help the parishioner. At that time, there was another bombing of the same house and the priest was injured. Transferred to a local hospital, he did not survive.
The Pope’s afflicted thoughts – spread through the Telegram channel of the Holy See Press Office – are addressed to him and to all those who have lost their lives under the attacks of these days in the Middle Eastern regions. Especially the children. According to children’s organizations such as Unicef and Save the Children, nearly 300 minors have died since the beginning of the current escalation.
Leo XIV, the Vatican note states, “follows with concern what is happening and prays that all hostility ceases as soon as possible.”
