Pope Francis has received a wooden crucifix made from debris collected in the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion.
The crucifix was created by Mario Khoury using the shattered wood of the doors and windows of the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut, which was heavily damaged during the August 4 blast.
It was presented to the Pope by Father Pierre Najm, President-General of the Mariamite Maronite Order in Lebanon.
The Order announced the gesture in a statement on Thursday, in which Father Najm thanked the Pope for his interest in and love for the Order, and for Lebanon, reiterating the Order’s “commitment to its spiritual, social, national, and educational role.”
Notably, Pope Francis is set to receive the leaders of the Lebanese Christian communities in the Vatican City in July, in order to discuss the latest developments in crisis-hit Lebanon.
The Pope has repeatedly cast light on the worsening situation in Lebanon, especially in the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion.
After returning from his historic visit to Iraq back in April, he announced his intention to visit Lebanon, without specifying a date.
In the same month, the Pope met Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and revealed that he would only visit Lebanon after a government has been formed.
