During his historic visit to Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV received a series of precious and symbolic gifts, including two signed by artist Bernard Ghoussoub, director of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture – Branch 2.
At the end of his meeting with the patriarchs and bishops at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, the Pope received from the Apostolic Vicar of Beirut for Latin Rite Catholics in Lebanon, Mgr César Essayan, and the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, Sister Bernadette Rouhayem, a bronze statue entitled “The Bridge to Salvation,” in which the artist Ghoussoub depicted the Holy Trinity carrying a bridge over which a group of families are passing from one place to another.
Before leaving for Rome after Mass celebrated on the Beirut seafront, the Supreme Pontiff received a second work by artist Ghoussoub depicting the ruins of the port of Beirut on a map of Lebanon made of cedar wood.
