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Pope and Patriarch Condemn Violence After Clergy Deaths

3/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pope Leo XIV and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai condemned violence in Lebanon after Father Pierre Al-Rahi was killed by Israeli tank fire while aiding parishioners in Qlayaa.
The Pope called Father Al-Rahi a "true shepherd" and mourned all victims.
Sami Ghafari, a 70-year-old brother of another priest, was killed in a nearby village.
Patriarch Rai urged leaders to act swiftly to halt the war.

History

Historical Context

The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) erupted from deep-seated sectarian tensions, exacerbated by demographic shifts and foreign interventions. The Maronite Christian community, led by figures like Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, sought peace amid chaos. The recent killing of Father Pierre Al-Rahi reflects ongoing violence, underscoring the need for reconciliation in a nation still haunted by its turbulent past, which claimed around 150,000 lives.

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Story summary

Pope Leo XIV and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai condemned violence in Lebanon after Father Pierre Al-Rahi was killed by Israeli tank fire while aiding parishioners in Qlayaa.
The Pope called Father Al-Rahi a "true shepherd" and mourned all victims.
Sami Ghafari, a 70-year-old brother of another priest, was killed in a nearby village.
Patriarch Rai urged leaders to act swiftly to halt the war.

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