Patriarch John X in the Vatican

 

His Beatitude John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East arrived to Rome this afternoon, accompanied by Archbishop Silouan Moussi (of Mount Lebanon). The Patriarch's visit comes in response to the invitation addressed by Pope Francis to the heads of Christian communities in Lebanon to consecrate a day of prayer and meditation for Lebanon on the first of July.

He was received at Rome's Airport by Lebanon's ambassador to the Holy See, Farid El-Khazen, and Father Destifel of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. His Beatitude met for lunch with His Holiness the Pope at the delegation's residence in the house of Saint Anne, the residence of His Holiness.

The Patriarch's visit includes a private meeting with His Holiness the Pope, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See, and with some cardinals. It also includes attending the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.