Rifi welcomes the arrival of Leo XIV and calls on him to address the situation of detainees in Lebanese prisons

Sunni MP for Tripoli Ashraf Rifi called Sunday for broad participation in welcoming Pope Leo XIV, who is set to land in Beirut this afternoon for his first papal tour of the Middle East. He also urged the pontiff to address the concerning situation of detainees in Lebanese prisons, where overcrowding and poor conditions — especially for foreign prisoners — are deplorable.

"This visit, which carries a message of peace in itself, is inspired by the Declaration on Human Fraternity and the commitment to interfaith dialogue that the Supreme Pontiff embodies in all his initiatives. The presence of His Holiness among the Lebanese at this delicate moment brings a glimmer of hope our country needs and reflects Lebanon’s historical status as a cultural and spiritual bridge between East and West," said the MP from Tripoli (North Lebanon), according to comments reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

"We invite all Lebanese to take part, in great numbers, in welcoming His Holiness, as a testimony to our attachment to the values of love, encounter and mutual respect. We also extend a sincere invitation to him to visit Tripoli, a city of coexistence and openness, so that this visit becomes a moral support for its residents and strengthens its national role," he added.

"We hope that the pontiff will pay attention to the pleas of families of detainees in Lebanese prisons, which have endured for years; that he will take note of their human suffering and help prompt the concerned authorities to address this issue in a spirit of justice and compassion."

Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime by a rebel coalition led by Islamist groups, the issue of releasing Syrian prisoners — including those linked to jihadist groups — has been at the center of discussions between Damascus and Beirut.