Pope urges Christians of East to brave difficulties

Pope Benedict XVI urged Friday Christians of the East to be brave and remain loyal to their beliefs and values and said “genuine” dialogue was needed among different religions. “I urge you not to be afraid but to live in the truth with your beliefs via the language of the Cross,” the Holy See told Christians of the East in a ceremony to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. Crowds gathered at St. Paul's Basilica in Harissa, north of Beirut, where the prelate signed signed the document, which earlier in the day he described as the "the road map for Christians for years to come." Benedict, who arrived at 1.30 p.m. in Beirut, arrived in Harissa at 6 p.m. to sound church’s bells in his honor. The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, according to media reports, is a message for Christians in the region and a call on them not to abandon their land as a result of war or forced immigration. During his speech upon arrival at Rafik Hariri International Airport, the prelate said his visit aimed at delivering the synod, which he described as "a road map for Christians for years to come," as well as consecrating the work of the Maronite Church. Wearing yellow and white flags and hats, visitors said they eagerly awaited the pope's message to Christians which they believed would reinforce their presence in the region. St. Paul’s Basilica was built between 1947 and 1962 and is located south of Our Lady of Lebanon, a statue of the Virgin Mary. (daily star)