Vatican City: Six patriarchs from Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon have discussed with the pope the serious crisis and migration of Christians in the Middle East. The difficulties faced by the Christians in the Middle East and the refugee influx have been the main issues. Representatives of the Chaldean Catholic Church, including Cardinal Louis Raphael Sacco, and Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Rai were present. Syrian Church Patriarch Ignatius Yusuf Yunnan said that the decision was made by the Syrian Church’s Patriarch, as the Christians are going through a crisis in the West Asian countries and that the Christians are fleeing to the West.
He expressed concern that the current situation threatened their very existence and that they were unable to provide spiritual assistance to believers living in the West. Ignatius Yusuf Younan said the Vatican should continue to raise its voice for the afflicted Christian community and for the protection of other minorities. He thanked Pope Francis for the assistance he is currently making. He called on believers around the world to help Christians in West Asia stay in their native place. The Patriarchs also met with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parole.
