Al-Rahi thanks the Pope for appointing him Cardinal Beirut – Georges Chahine Before his return to Beirut Tuesday afternoon, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi thanked Pope Benedict XVI on behalf of the Maronite Church and the Lebanese for appointing him as Cardinal. He presented the Pope with Gibran Khalil Gibran collection in German language as a symbolic gift from the Maronite Church.
He also thanked Secretary of State for the Vatican Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone for giving him the news about the appointment and the condolences given to Lebanon and all the families of the victims in Ashrafieh explosion.
In the thirteenth ordinary meeting of the Synod of Bishops, the Pope congratulated the new Cardinals, who will wear the Cardinal hats in the consistory of November, noting that the diversity in the belongings of the Cardinals shows the integration of the church which is still Pentecosta church.
The Holy Father considers the Synod as the reflection of the church, with its happiness and sorrows about the threats and dangers surrounding it.
He stressed that the church can sense the opposing winds, but can also sense the Holy Spirit helping and showing the right path.