Through his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy Father expressed his joy at the meeting and spoke of the city of Budapest as an "eloquent symbol" of the event's theme. "The numerous bridges that span the Danube, that connect the settlements from Buda and Pest and make them a single unity, were destroyed during World War II," he reflected. "Yet, born from the ashes of that terrible conflict was the determination to build peace on lasting foundations, a determination that was the inspiration at the base of the foundation of the Focolare Movement. The bridges of the Danube were reconstructed and the international community was determined to eliminate once and for all the conditions that could lead to a future conflict."

The chip is also designed with a path for an electrical current to pass through in order to melt the bonds when it's time for a dose of the drug to be released. It's implanted under the skin, usually below the waistline or in the arm, in an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, a small incision and a few sutures.

Father Chidiac: Yes, absolutely! And not only an impetus but also a confirmation. The people already live profoundly this faith in Our Lady. Very widespread, for example, is the practice of the rosary, hence the Holy Father will see confirmed this dedication to the Virgin. Above all the Pope's presence will give hope to the Lebanese people to overcome their profound concern for all that is happening in the Middle East and to go beyond. The Pope often speaks of hope, and to speak of hope makes us think immediately of Mary, the true sign of hope for the whole of humanity, for Lebanon and for all Christians and non-Christians of the Middle East.

ZENIT: In regard to all the difficult situations, at times also tragic, which the Middle Eastern countries are experiencing, can it be affirmed that devotion to Our Lady can also favor ecumenical dialogue?

Father Chidiac: Certainly, it's a great help. There are so many different traditions, but also so many points of convergence. Suffice it to think of the dogma of the Mother of God, foundation of both the Catholic and Orthodox faith, which is already a very important reference for ecumenical dialogue.I hope that in the future this dialogue can be deepened also from the theological and relational point of view, both at the theoretical as well as the practical level. In the sense of thinking of the mystery of God with the light of the "school" of Mary and living the theological virtues as she did: with openness to the other, simplicity, hospitality, and also love for those who are far away or totally different from us.

"I exhort all Christians of the Middle East, both those born there and the newly arrived, to be builders of peace and architects of reconciliation," the Pope said at the conclusion of his General Audience at the Vatican Sept. 12.

The Pope is making the 3-day trip to the Mediterranean state Sept. 14 - 16 to sign his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in the Middle East.

"The history of the Middle East teaches us the important and sometimes primordial role played by the various Christian communities in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue," observed Pope Benedict. "Let us ask God to give that region of the world its longed-for peace, and respect for legitimate differences."

He also rejoiced that his apostolic trip will enable him to meet members of Lebanese society including other Christians, Muslims and Druze from the region. "I thank the Lord for this rich variety, which will be able to continue only if people live in permanent peace and reconciliation."

In a proposal that represents one the most significant surrenders of national sovereignty since the creation of the euro in 1999, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, proposed Wednesday to make the European Central Bank the single supervisor for all 6,000 banks in the 17 countries that use the currency.

The Commission wants to give the ECB sweeping powers: from the ability to grant and take away banking licenses to extensive authority to investigate and fine wayward banks.