Mgr Jean-Marc Aveline, president of the French Bishops' Conference, described the current geopolitical context as «dramatic and very worrying» ahead of Easter. In an interview with La Tribune dimanche, he lamented the war in the Middle East and the weakening of international organizations such as the UN.
Mgr Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille and president of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF), spoke in an interview with La Tribune dimanche about the geopolitical context on the eve of Easter. He described the situation in which the feast is being celebrated this year as «dramatic and very worrying».
For five weeks, the Middle East has been «caught in the spiral of a merciless war», he lamented. «It is high time to return to respect for international law», he stressed. He also regretted the weakening of international organizations, starting with the UN, «which gravely harms peace». For him, «the security of any people cannot be obtained by fostering hatred of the other».
The archbishop reiterated his call for solidarity with Lebanon, «still a victim of the great powers surrounding it». He encouraged donations to the Œuvre d'Orient, through which the Church in France concretely aids Christians in the Middle East.
Asked about a visit to France by Pope Léon XIV, who will receive Emmanuel Macron next Friday and visit Spain in June, Mgr Aveline said he is working on it. «I raised the subject with the Pope just a few days ago», he revealed.