Overview
- The video call, made Wednesday during a meeting with the apostolic nuncio, offered prayers, encouragement and an apostolic blessing.
- Priests from border villages including Rmeich, Ain Ebel, Debel and Marjayoun joined the brief call.
- Participants said it lasted about a minute, that the pope spoke in French, and that he urged them to stay in their towns and pray for peace.
- The Vatican confirmed only that the pope met Archbishop Paolo Borgia and declined to provide details of the call.
- Southern Lebanon remains tense despite the April 17 ceasefire, with a disputed claim over an Israeli demolition of a Catholic convent in Yaroun fueling concern in Christian communities.