SW News: The Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher will visit Lebanon from January 31 to February 4. The prelate will meet religious and political leaders of the crisis-hit nation in the capital Beirut.

The visit of the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States comes as the Holy See and Lebanon marks 75 years of diplomatic relations. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Apostolic Journey of Pope St. John Paul II to the nation and the 10th anniversary of the visit of his successor Pope Benedict XVI.

During his 5-day visit, Archbishop Gallagher will be the guest of honor and will inaugurate a symposium on the topic “John Paul II and Lebanon” organized by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik on February 2 and 3. The Holy See official is also scheduled to meet Lebanon’s State Authorities, the Catholic and Orthodox Patriarchs and Bishops, as well as Muslim and Druze religious leaders and cultural and political personalities.

As Lebanon faces an unprecedented socio-political and economic crisis, Pope Francis has always held the country close to heart and prayers. In his recent annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, on January 10, the Pope reiterated his prayer for Lebanon and expressed his hope that “necessary reforms and the support of the international community will help the country to persevere in its proper identity as a model of peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among the different religions.”