Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Youhanna X Yazigi, met Friday with Pope Francis in the Vatican and discussed the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Syrian people, particularly the Christian community, as well as the fate of the two bishops, Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi , who were kidnapped in Aleppo in April.
The Patriarch relayed to the Pope the plight of the Christian community in Syria and the surrounding region. The two leaders also shared their hopes for progress on the journey towards full Christian unity.
The Patriarch then revealed that there were no confirmed or new information about the kidnapped bishops, one of whom is his brother. However, he held on to the hope that they were still alive.
As to who was responsible for this abduction, Yazigi stated that all he had were stories and promises but no viable answers.
Fears of fanatic Islamists emerging after the conflict were dimmed by Yazigi, who asserted that "Muslims refuse this extremist Islamic spirit."
"We have very good relationships with the Muslim people. We live together, we have made history together and together we will build the future of the region."
Yazigi did no express any fear for his person.
"I live now in the Patriarchate in Damascus, sometimes in Lebanon in our residence in Balamand, and our church is open, we have our liturgies, our services as usual, except for some areas where we have difficulties, in Aleppo, in Homs, and others."
On Sunday the Patriarch will attend Mass in St Peter's Square, celebrated by the Pope to mark the Day of Catechists. He's also due to meet with Italy's foreign minister and attend the St Egidio international, interfaith conference which opens at the weekend.
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