Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai read out a letter from Pope Francis addressed to the Christians of the Middle East during his Sunday homily.
During the mass celebrated at the patriarchal headquarters in Bkerke, Patriarch Rai shared the Pope's words to "comfort" and "encourage" the faithful.
"I will not tire of repeating that war is a defeat, that weapons do not build the future but destroy it, and that violence will never bring peace," the pontiff stated in his letter.
In this context, he praised the Christians living in the regions mentioned in the holy books for their determination to remain in their countries.
The Pope also sent a message of solidarity to all people, "regardless of faith and religion, who are suffering from the war in the Middle East," offering them his thoughts and prayers.