Pope Francis meets with Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father met this morning with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,
Fouad Twal, with an official delegation from the Patriarchate.
This audience
gave Pope Francis an opportunity to become more acquainted with the Church in Jerusalem
and its pastoral problems.
“He is a very humble man. He has the time, the patience
to listen to what we have to say,” said Patriarch Twal, speaking to Vatican Radio
after his meeting with the Pope. He said Pope Francis was very well informed about
the situation of Christians who have fled the middle east. The Patriarch noted that
many Christians who have left the region had settled in Latin America; some, in Argentina
were under the pastoral care of then Cardinal Bergoglio. “He is very aware about .
. . the Christians from the middle east who are living and working in the diaspora.
He knows very well their situation.”
After Pope Francis spoke privately for
a time with Patriarch Twal, he received the other members of the delegation. “He encouraged
us to put our hope in the Lord, to pray for him, and he would pray for us.”