Patr. John X Meets Pope Leo XIV to Discuss Middle East Christians

VATICAN CITY — Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East met with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace on September 14, with discussions focusing on Christians in the Middle East, relations between the two Churches, and the situations in Syria and Lebanon.

During the private meeting, Patr. John X presented an overview of conditions across the region, emphasizing that Christians in Syria are an integral part of the country’s social fabric and should enjoy equal rights and responsibilities as citizens. He called for cooperation to strengthen civil peace, coexistence, and national unity.

The Antiochian Patriarch also addressed Lebanon, stressing the need to end the aggression affecting southern Lebanon and to support Lebanese unity amid the resulting social challenges. He called for dialogue and engagement among the country’s various communities and acknowledged the Holy See’s efforts to promote stability in Syria, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East.

The two leaders also discussed the unresolved case of the two Aleppo bishops, Bp. Paul Yazigi and Bp. Yohanna Ibrahim, who were kidnapped in Syria in 2013. Patr. John X emphasized the need to find a solution to the case, which has remained unresolved for more than a decade.

Pope Leo XIV praised the Church of Antioch’s historic role in the Middle East and its continuing mission throughout the world. He expressed the Holy See’s support for efforts benefiting the region and its peoples and highlighted Antioch’s role in fostering dialogue between East and West and encounter with the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Pope Leo XIV met Marco Rubio amid tensions with Trump.