The Prime Minister-designate of Lebanon, Saad Hariri, visited Pope Francis in Rome seeking support in leading his country out of a political and economic crisis.
Lebanon's dire situation made headlines around the world after an explosion in the port of Beirut killed 200 people last August.
Hariri has been working to form a government ever since.
The Vatican has only released one photo of his meeting with the Pope, since Hariri is not technically Lebanon's prime minister. His meeting with the Pope was held in private.
Previously the two met during another visit in October 2017.
According to the Vatican, the Pope accepted the meeting to show 'his closeness to the people of Lebanon, who are experiencing a moment of great difficulty and uncertainty.'
During the meeting the Pope recalled the responsibility that all political powers have to others, and asked them to 'reach an agreement for the benefit of the nation.'
On Twitter Saad Hariri has said the Pope confirmed that he will travel to Lebanon once a government has been formed.
By convention the president of Lebanon is a Maronite Christian; the prime minister, a Sunni Muslim; and the speaker of parliament, a Shiite. Lebanon's constitution provides that representation in the government be equally divided between Christians and Muslims.
A measure which forces the pursuit of dialogue and the search for common ground. For this reason, Pope Francis considers the country a model of coexistence and moderation unique in the region and a treasure that cannot be lost.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
TR: Justin McLellan
