At exactly a quarter past ten in the morning on Friday, October 11, 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis met with His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III Yonan, Patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Church of Antioch, in his office at the Vatican.
During the meeting, His Holiness and His Beatitude discussed the current Middle East situation, emphasizing the importance of the Christian presence and future prospects in the Holy Land, Syria, and Iraq, with a particular focus on Lebanon and the ongoing war there. He emphasized the necessity of a ceasefire and the establishment of peace, urging the officials to return to their conscience and national sense and to work on electing a president for the republic as soon as possible.
His Beatitude also pointed out the suffering that Lebanon is experiencing, including the suffocating economic crisis, forced displacement, and the disintegration of its constitutional institutions.
His Beatitude expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the Pope for his unwavering support for the Christians of the East and their issues, conveying his appreciation for His Holiness's paternal love and care for the Church worldwide and his special concern for the believers in the Eastern Churches amidst these difficult circumstances.
He also reviewed the situation of the Syrian Catholic Church and the impact of wars and acts of violence on church service, especially in the diaspora, highlighting the need to continue spiritual and pastoral services for the thousands of believers who have emigrated to Western countries.
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness expressed his happiness at receiving His Beatitude, wishing him continued health and wellness, and asking God to bless his service for the good of the universal Church.