Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X declared that the Church of Antioch stands alongside the Holy See’s endeavors to establish peace and stop to the plight of wars that drain humanity through displacement and exile. His remarks came during his meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican.
This encounter provided an opportunity to discuss the general situation in the region and the issue of migration, which the Patriarch described as the greatest challenge facing humanity, being a natural consequence of war and conflict.
His Beatitude carried along the Syrian file full of challenges and concerns, stressing the importance of consolidating citizenship, coexistence, and civil peace, as well as strengthening participation and encounter. He emphasized that Christians are an essential component of the Syrian social fabric.
On Lebanon, His Beatitude underscored the importance of the Pope’s first foreign visit to the Middle East—specifically to Lebanon—which conveyed strong support both for the nation and for the Christian presence in the cradle of divine revelation. He stressed the urgent need to halt the aggressions against Lebanon as a whole, particularly in the South, and called for bolstering constitutional institutions in their efforts to end the war, reclaim land and displaced persons, and avert the specter of internal strife through dialogue.
Cardinal Parolin welcomed the Patriarch warmly, praising the role of the Church of Antioch, which embodies the values of ancient faith and authentic tradition in a conscious openness to all communities.
On the Antiochian side the meeting was attended by Metropolitan Ignatius Al-Houshi (France and Western and Southern Europe), Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury (Zahle and Baalbek), Archimandrite Parthenios Al-Lati, Archimandrite Meletios Shtahi, Deacon Hilarion Beshara, and Mr. Michel Nseir.
