Pope leading open-air Mass in Beirut

By Victor L. Simpson

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Sept. 16 2012 12:40 a.m. MDT

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Lebanese protesters attack American fast food restaurants after Friday prayers, pouring petrol on the restaurants and setting them on fire in the northeastern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Friday Sept. 14, 2012. According to security officials no one was hurt in the attack which is part of widespread anger across the Muslim world about a film ridiculing Islam's Prophet Muhammad. (AP Photo)

The Associated Press

Summary

Soldiers set up roadblocks and patrolled streets in downtown Beirut before Pope Benedict XVI arrived for an open-air Mass, the major public event of his three-day visit to Lebanon to press for peace and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East.

BEIRUT — Soldiers set up roadblocks and patrolled streets in downtown Beirut before Pope Benedict XVI arrived for an open-air Mass, the major public event of his three-day visit to Lebanon to press for peace and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims from across the region are expected to attend Sunday's Mass on the Lebanese capital's waterfront.

Benedict has been appealing for tolerance and religious freedom.

At a meeting with young people Saturday evening, the pope said he admired the courage of Syrian youth and that he did not forget their suffering.

The papal visit comes amid soaring sectarian tensions in the region, exacerbated by the conflict in Syria, which is in the throes of an 18-month-old civil war.

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