Patriarch John of Antioch met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vaticantranslated

The situation of Christians in the Middle East and the difficult conditions they face due to the ongoing military conflicts that create instability in the wider region were discussed by Pope Leo XIV and the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Mr. John during the meeting they had yesterday, Monday, September 14, 2026, in the Vatican. Syria and Lebanon were at the center of the discussion which also extended to the historical relations between the two Churches which have roots already in apostolic times.

Regarding Syria, the Patriarch Mr. Ioannis emphasized that the Christians in this country have been an integral part of it for centuries while he highlighted the fact that the situation requires everyone's cooperation to promote the values ​​of political peace and the common good. At the same time, he called once again to reject the voices that call for the exclusion or limitation of the participation of Christians who should be considered as equal citizens of this country with full rights and without exclusions.

Regarding the situation in Lebanon, he said that an end should be given to the ongoing crisis that characterizes the country...