BEIRUT, Lebanon (Catholic Online) - On Sunday, September 9, 2012, before the horrific attacks on the US Embassy in Egypt, the US Consulate in Libya, the US Embassy compound in Yemen and now the growing protests throughout the Nations of Iraq and Iran, Pope Benedict XVI spoke these words to the faithful during his Sunday Angelus Prayer:

"Dear pilgrims, those of you here, or who are taking part in the Angelus through radio or television; in the coming days, I will make an apostolic visit to Lebanon to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, fruit of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, held in October 2010. I will have the happy opportunity to meet with the Lebanese people and authorities, and the Christians of that beloved country and those from neighboring countries."

"I am aware of the often dramatic situation experienced by the people of this region, too long torn apart by incessant conflicts. I understand the anguish of many Middle Eastern people immersed in daily sufferings of all kinds, which sadly, and at times mortally, plague their personal and family life. My concerned thoughts go out to those who, in search of a place of peace, leave their family and professional life, and experience the precariousness of being exiles."

"Even though the search for solutions to the various problems affecting the region seems difficult, we cannot resign ourselves to the violence and exasperation of tensions. A commitment to dialogue and reconciliation must be a priority for all parties involved, and must be supported by the international community, increasingly aware of the importance of a stable and lasting peace in the region for the whole world. My apostolic visit to Lebanon, and by extension in the Middle East as a whole, is placed under the sign of peace, referring to the words of Christ: "My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). May God bless Lebanon and the Middle East! May God bless you all!"

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros al-Rai told Vatican Radio's Tracey McClure that the focus of this papal visit was the role of the Churches of the Middle East and how they can and must contribute to a future of peace in the region. "I think the Apostolic Exhortation is a gift of Divine providence in this difficult moment. It will present a series of challenges confronting the Christians of the region and propose some solutions and a way to proceed".

The Patriarch claimed that the Muslim community was "very enthusiastic about the Pope's visit" and expressed his belief that "the Pope will help bring the dawn of peace to the region." And that the "real Arab Spring will arrive as the fruit of a Christian Spring and we can help to achieve this through communion and witness to love".

He added, "This is a region torn by conflict and war and this exhortation will present a new way of presenting positive solutions to the conflict and political tensions. It is important that the Church speaks a language of peace, dialogue and understanding, because the Arab world only hears the language of hatred and violence both regionally and internationally, unfortunately. Violence and war will never bring about a new Spring - Only the opposite".

The Holy Father's plans to travel to Lebanon have been underway for some time. He has often expressed his profound concern for the Christians of the middle East and conviction of the necessity of their continued presence there. He is traveling there to encourage them in their faith and reaffirm their vital role.

One can only expect that many among those who care for the Pope in his Petrine ministry have expressed their concerns for his safety given the escalation of violence in the region. However, this danger will not deter his determination to visit the region. He is a man of great courage and profound living faith. We ask our readers around the world to pray for him during this historic visit.

Shortly after his arrival on Friday, September 14, 2012, he will travel to the Melkite Greek Catholic basilica of St. Paul in Harissa where he will sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the vital Role of the Church in the Middle East. This highly anticipated Apostolic Exhortation follows the Synod of Bishops of the Middle East which was held in October of 2010 in Rome. That gathering was dedicated to the theme "The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness." 

On Saturday morning he will meet with government leaders. Prime Minister Najib Mikati  praised the papal visit in the National press, calling it historic and expressing hope that it will lead to a partnership for peace. He called a Cabinet session on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 where he noted that the session was:
 
"being held two days before the historic event which we will witness for Pope Benedict XVI's three-day visit to announce the apostolic exhortation for the Christians ...