Prime Minister Nawaf Salam Receives Montevideo Cardinal with Message for Pope Supporting Lebanon

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo in Uruguay, at the government palace today. The cardinal was accompanied by Abbot Edmond Rizk, the Superior General of the Maronite Mariamite Order, and Father Cesar Lahoud, the Order’s mission head in Uruguay.

Following the meeting, Abbot Rizk described the visit as one of courtesy, gratitude, and support for Prime Minister Salam’s tremendous efforts in Lebanon. He also congratulated Salam on his national speech filled with hope, delivered at the University of La Uiza’s graduation ceremony, which Cardinal Sturla attended.

Abbot Rizk added that the meeting included conveying a message from Prime Minister Salam to His Holiness Pope Francis, asking that the pope continue to keep Lebanon in his thoughts. Cardinal Sturla is scheduled to deliver this message to the pope during their meeting at the end of the week. The cardinal will also communicate the concerns of the Lebanese people and their gratitude for the pope’s visit to Lebanon, the effects of which remain evident today.

The discussion will also address the challenges facing Lebanese citizens and emphasize the need for international intervention to support Lebanon’s position, especially that of the prime minister during this difficult period, in order to help Lebanon move toward security, peace, and hope.