Greeting today the Armenian delegation, the Pope expressed his "deep concern for the people of Lebanon and the Middle east" and his grief for "the tensions and conflicts which continue to frustrate all efforts to foster reconciliation and peace at every level of civil and political life in the region." "Most recently said the Pope receiving the Armenian delegation led by the Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Church Aram I – we have all been saddened by the escalation of persecution and violence against Christians in parts of the Middle East and elsewhere. Only when the countries involved can determine their own destiny, and the various ethnic groups and religious communities accept and respect each other fully, will peace be built on the solid foundations of solidarity, justice and respect for the legitimate rights of individuals and peoples." ” ” ” ” ” “
