Papal Visit Lebanon Beirut 1964

GREETING FROM THE HOLY FATHER TO THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON Beirut Airport Wednesday, December 2, 1964 We wholeheartedly thank HE Mr. Charles Helou, President of the Republic, whom we have known for a long time; to the members of the Government and deputies, to the religious and civil authorities, as well as to all those who have seen fit to come to the Beirut airport to greet us. Providence has allowed us to respond in this way to the invitation that we could not welcome when we traveled to the Holy Land and that the Lebanese authorities, once again, had kindly renewed for us on this occasion. It is a joy for Us to have this opportunity to establish direct contact with a country that is particularly dear to Us and that maintains the most cordial relations with the Holy See. Lebanon, We are pleased to say on this occasion, occupies an honorable place in the concert of nations. Its history, its culture, the peaceful character of its inhabitants have earned it the esteem and friendship of all. Their ancient and venerable religious traditions, above all, seem worthy of being mentioned by Us with all praise. Particularly, we cannot forget everything that the faith of all Lebanese peoples represents for the Church, expressed in the harmonious diversity of rites, in the abundance and variety of religious and monastic communities, in the multiple activities of an apostolic, educational and cultural order. or charity. The Church appreciates and encourages all these efforts of its good children of Lebanon and we rejoice in being able to express our testimony to them here, in the presence of their religious leaders. We also greet with the greatest cordiality those who, without distinction of rites or community, have wanted to express, with their presence here, their esteem for the spiritual values of which the Church is the repository, and at the same time express their benevolence towards our humble person. The Arab world, to which they belong, was shown to us, when