As Lebanon faces political instability and dire economic crisis, which is worsening every day due to the pandemic, Pope Francis has stepped in to offer extraordinary aid.
In a gesture of solidarity, Pope Francis has donated $200,000 to support 400 scholarships in Lebanon, announced the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, May 14th.
According to the Vatican, this donation is an “expression of [the Pope’s] concern for the country’s young people” and was made through the Secretariat of State and the Congregation for Oriental Churches.
This gift is an addition to coronavirus aid sent to the Middle East through the Vatican’s emergency fund created recently for the congregation.
The announcement ended with a prayer: “May the Mother of God, who watches over Lebanon from Harissa Mountain, protect the Lebanese people, together with the saints of the beloved Land of the Cedars.”