Pope makes call for peace days before traveling to Lebanon

September 10, 2012. Next Sunday the Pope will be in Lebanon, right next door to Syria's civil war. In light of his coming trip, he expressed his closeness to those that are suffering from military conflicts in the Middle East. He also encouraged the international community to continue to work towards a lasting peace. “The effort for dialogue and reconciliation should be prioritized by all parties, and should be supported by the international community, to be increasingly aware of the importance for everyone to achieve a stable and lasting peace throughout the region,” said Benedict XVI. Benedict XVI also called on Colombian officials to look toward forgiveness and reconciliation in their plans to begin negotiations with the FARC rebel group. BENEDICT XVI “It was announced in Colombia, Norway and Cuba, an important dialogue between the Colombian government and representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, with the participation of delegates from Venezuela and Chile, to try to end the conflict, that has afflicted this beloved country for decades. I hope that those who take part in this initiative will be guided by the will of forgiveness and reconciliation, in the sincere search for the common good.” During the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI reminded pilgrims of discovering a vision of life that is open to others as well as their faith. At the end of the Angelus, the Pope listened to a brief interpretation by this chorus from Verona.