To His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir 
Patriarch of Antioch for Maronites

Having been informed of the unfolding events in your country, I wish to express my solidarity to you and invite all Christians to join in solidarity with the peoples of South Lebanon who fear for their future because of the situation which has developed in recent days.

I feel compelled to remind all leaders of the grave duty to respect the rights of individuals and peoples, and not to commit acts which could threaten the lives of individuals as well as the harmony between the communities.

I pray to God to enlighten minds and hearts so that all the civilian population will be spared new massacres and the sovereignty of each country will be guaranteed so that everyone can look to the future with great hope.

As a pledge of comfort, I send my Apostolic Blessing to Your Eminence and to all the Christian faithful, asking God to shower an abundance of his favours on all Lebanese.

From the Vatican, 24 May 2000.

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