On Feb. 16, Pope Francis decried the death of 21 Coptic Christians by ISIS militants. During his address on Vatican Radio he stated, “The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard, it makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians! Their blood is one and the same. Their blood confesses Christ.”

On March 13, John L. Allen Jr., associate editor of (The Boston Globe’s Catholic news hub), Crux, reported on a statement by Italian Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the chief Vatican diplomat at the United Nations in Geneva, in which he endorsed military action against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, to prevent the further attacks on Christians and other minorities by this terrorist group.

Some may find it interesting in our current geopolitical climate that Archbishop Tomasi partnered with Lebanon and the Russian Federation in the drafting of a statement, which the Archbishop presented to the United Nations. It was entitled “Supporting the Human Rights of Christians and Other Communities, particularly in the Middle East.”

The same Archbishop Tomasi has also been reported to have applauded France for calling a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the issues facing Christians in the Middle East.

As we follow this thread, is it surprising that Beirut, Lebanon was attacked on Nov. 12, and Paris, France was attacked by terrorists on Nov. 13?  The nations of Lebanon and France had spoken and acted against the murder and plight of Christians in the Middle East, and these attacks were retaliation.

The news media has been doing an excellent job focusing on the terror committed in France, the attacks on a sports arena, a bar and restaurant and a music venue, places anyone should be able to feel safe. This amplifies the power of the terrorists, and we will undoubtedly hear the names of the Paris attackers many times.  What we won’t hear is that France has been standing for persecuted Christians.

What also is not being reported on is the attack on Beirut, Lebanon. This is a nation that shares its northern and eastern borders with Syria and its southern with Israel, and provides constitutional protection to Christians. The Lebanese Constitution requires that Muslims and Christians have equal representation within their national assembly, and splits executive power; a Maronite Christian is required to hold the position of president, the prime minister must be Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of their assembly must be Shi’a Muslim. This level of required cooperation between Muslims and Christians of many denominations flies in the face of all that ISIS stands for.

Another reason we will not see or hear much reporting on the attacks in Beirut is because of a man whose name we should be hearing a lot more frequently than any of the terrorists from the attacks. That name is Adel Termos, a Lebanese man who realized he was in the presence of a suicide bomber, and gave his own life to save hundreds of innocent people. The death toll in Beirut is dozens instead of hundreds because of the courage of this man. An attack that should have been a major victory for ISIS will now be a footnote in history.

So as we rightfully pray for the people of Paris, and all of France, we should keep in our prayers the people of Lebanon. While France will retaliate against ISIS, and may strengthen their security, Lebanon will be a target of ISIS until this menace is defeated.

I suggest we pray for the intercession of St. George, the patron saint of Beirut, and St. Genevieve, patroness of Paris, for the protection of these people, their health and recovery. We should also pray in a special way for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary that all Christians and minorities in the Middle East will be protected from the scourge presented by ISIS.

 John Michael McGuire is the director of religious education in St. Paul Parish, Princeton.