On Friday 2 October Bishop George Bugeja OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli in Libya, got a surprise telephone call from Pope Francis. During the brief call the Pope showed his paternal concern and expressed his closeness to the Libya mission, which has been going through a particularly delicate moment in these last few years, owing to the political turmoil in the country and now also because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Bishop Bugeja thanked the Pope and explained how the Christians in Libya are living their faith in difficult conditions. Although it is customary for Pope Francis to call bishops and other persons worldwide, particularly in situations of conflict, poverty or crisis, this phone call was truly a sign of his paternal love not only for the Libya mission, entrusted to the care of the Franciscan Order, but also to the fact that he wanted to phone to give Bishop George and the brothers his good wishes for the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.