Meeting of Pope with Middle Eastern patriarchs

The Pope joined the patriarchs and major archbishops at the Consistory Hall inside the Vatican. The Church leaders are in Rome to take part in the Plenary Assembly for the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.

During the first of several events scheduled on Thursday, Pope Francis called on the patriarchs and major archbishops to be custodians of the unity and solidarity within the Catholic Church. (See his discourse here)

For the remainder of the session, the Pope listened to the concerns from each of the Churches represented. Each one is based in either Eastern Europe, India or the Middle East.

Two hours later, under the watchful eyes of several Byzantine icons, Pope Francis addressed the prelates taking part in the four day plenary assembly.

He made an appeal for respect and freedom of worship in the Middle East, especially in conflict areas like Syria, Egypt and Iraq. He also said that Catholics must never resign themselves to a Middle East without Christians. (see his discourse here)

The Pope said every Catholic should be thankful for the Churches in the Holy Land and asked them to pray for all the Christians in the region.

See video clip here