Pope expresses concern for, unity with Lebanese after general's death

Published: 2007-12-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "affectionate concern and deep communion" with the people of Lebanon as they marked a national day of mourning Dec. 14 for the death of Maj. Gen. Francois Hajj, who was killed in a car bombing Dec. 12. A funeral Mass for Hajj was celebrated Dec. 14 by Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church. Christian and Muslim leaders, arguing among themselves over leadership of the country, attended the funeral for the general. A telegram sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, was read at the funeral Mass in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Cardinal Bertone said that when Pope Benedict learned of the "tragic attack" that took the life of the general and of his Shiite Muslim driver he asked the cardinal to convey his condolences to the families and to all Lebanese "in these difficult and delicate moments for the future of the country."

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