Pope Promises to Help Lebanon Rise from Its Hardship

Pope Francis met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday and pledged to do everything he can to help the country "rise again." The Vatican stated that the Pope and Prime Minister Mikati, who took office in September after a year of difficulties in forming a new government, held a special meeting lasting about twenty minutes to discuss the country's collapsed economy and social crisis. Poverty has spread in Lebanon following the financial collapse in 2019, and foreign donors are demanding an audit of the Central Bank of Lebanon's accounts and economic reforms before releasing aid funds. United Nations agencies have warned of social disasters, with one report indicating that at least one child in more than half of Lebanese families is skipping a meal amid a clear and significant deterioration in living conditions. After the special meeting, the Pope told the Lebanese delegation, "Lebanon is a country, a message, and a promise that deserves to be fought for." He added, "I commit to working through diplomatic channels with other countries to develop a joint effort to help Lebanon rise again."