Pope Leo XIV mourns the late Lebanese priest, Fr. Pierre El-Rahi, who was killed amid the conflict in the Middle East, expressing his closeness to the Lebanese people and inviting Christians to pray for the many innocent victims of war.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort for those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.”
Pope Leo XIV made this appeal at his weekly General Audience in the Vatican on Wednesday, recalling that the funeral of Father Pierre El-Rahi is celebrated on Wednesday in Qlayaa, Lebanon.
The Pope recalled that Father El-Rahi was the Maronite parish priest of one of the Christian villages in southern Lebanon, which, in these days, “are once again experiencing the tragedy of war.”
“I am close to all the Lebanese people at this moment of grave trial,” he said.
The Maronite rite Catholic priest was killed in Qlayaa, Lebanon, on Monday as he sought to assist parishioners whose house had been fired upon by an Israeli tank, according to Lebanese media reports.
Fr. El-Rahi rushed to the house in the mountainous area of his parish with several young people when the tank struck the house again, wounding Fr. El-Rahi. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his wounds.
The Pope acknowledged that in Arabic, El-Rahi means “shepherd.”
“Father Pierre,” he said, “was a true shepherd who always remained beside his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd.”
The Pope recalled that as soon as the priest heard that some parishioners had been wounded by a bombardment, he ran to help them without hesitation.
“May the Lord grant that the blood he shed,” Pope Leo prayed, “may be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.”
The Holy See Press Office released a statement on Monday reporting that Pope Leo XIV is praying for the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East. The Pope expressed his sorrow for the many innocent people who have died, including children and those who care for them, especially Fr. El-Rahi.
