#BreakingNews Pope Francis and Patriarch Call for a Ceasefire after Over 500 Die in Lebanon Including 50 Children - Churches Shelter Civilians

Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon have led to over 550 deaths, including 50 children and 94 women, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.  Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi called for an immediate ceasefire. During the General Audience, the Pope launched an appeal for peace in the Middle East in the wake of attacks in Lebanon. "I am pained by the news coming from Lebanon, where in the last few days, heavy bombardments have caused many casualties and destruction. I hope that the international community will make every effort to end this terrible escalation. It is unacceptable." (Image Pope and Al-Rahi - 2021 - Vatican Media Screenshot)
 Churches have begun to shelter people escaping violence as death toll from Israeli attacks climbs in Lebanon. Christian churches in the country are sheltering people escaping violence. “People are now living in church halls, so they will need food, sanitary products, mattresses, blankets, and if it continues, we will need heating for winter, though of course, we hope it will not last that long,” said Marielle Boutros, project coordinator in Lebanon for the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need.

“These are not purely Shia or Hezbollah areas, and we have a lot of Christian families living there,” she said. “Some have lost their houses, and they are moving now from the south to other places in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and the north, to find safety.” ACN, charity runs “more than 300 projects in Lebanon” and its work in the country has increased significantly “with the recent economic meltdown in Lebanon, as well as the massive port explosion which destroyed large parts of Beirut.”

“It is not easy to live in a country where one day you are fine, and the next you are hiding from missiles. It is not the kind of life that young people like to live. The trauma the people are experiencing now, and the trauma of having yet another war will not be easily forgotten.”

 According to The Associated Press, the Lebanese Health Ministry told journalists Sept. 24 that 16 paramedics and firefighters were among those killed, and 1,835 people were wounded in the attacks; not including the 3,000 wounded from the page attacks.

Patriarch Al-Rahi calls for a ceasefire to avoid more casualties
He appeals to the United Nations and the Security Council to intervene effectively to compel those concerned to stop the war and go to negotiations.
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi made the following appeal : “In light of the magnitude of the national catastrophe in southern Lebanon, Baalbek and the suburbs, where civilians are homeless or have left their homes and migrated to other safe places in Lebanon, we can only make this appeal :
Thanks to all those in safe areas who are receiving our afflicted people in their homes .
Thanks to the public and other schools that opened their doors to receive them .
Thanks to the humanitarian organizations that seek to secure their needs of food, medicine, mattresses, and basic household necessities .
Thanks to the hospitals that receive the wounded, the Ministry of Public Health and other ministries .
It is the Lebanese family that unites in the face of the disaster. However, we call on those concerned to immediately cease fire, to avoid more victims, wounded and homeless people. We appeal to the United Nations and the Security Council to intervene effectively to compel those concerned to stop the war and go to negotiations, and to compel the Parliament to elect a President of the Republic, as there is an urgent need for him to be at the head of the country. We pray to God to inspire everyone with the means to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

Sources: Aid to the Church in Need - Vatican News - Abouna.org - OSV News