With months to go still until his March 5-8 trip to Iraq, Pope Francis on Thursday began shaping his message, urging a network of Catholic charities to help Christians who have fled the region to return home of they want to do so.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis kicked off a virtual meeting of Church leaders in the Middle East on Thursday with a video message.
The meeting focused on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria and Iraq, as well as in neighboring Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan. It took place Thursday afternoon on Zoom, and was organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Dozens of representatives of local Catholic charities and Churches took part, including aid organizations, diocesan representatives, and religious congregations which operate in the Middle East.
According to a press release, the meeting sought to improve coordination between various Church institutions in order to improve the lives of people suffering in the region.
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When it comes to caring for creation, there is a “slight disconnect” between the call for urgent action by Pope Francis and the slow or lack of action by most Catholics, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.