Pope appeals for refugees, Middle East Christians

(June 24, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday appealed for those fleeing the turbulent situation in the Middle East and Northern Africa urging they be offered every possible help needed. Pope Benedict made the appeal while addressing some 80 participants in the meeting of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, known by its Italian acronym ROACO. Created by the Vatican's Congregation for Eastern Churches in 1968, ROACO coordinates nearly 20 U.S. and European agencies and organizations that provide assistance to Eastern Catholic communities in Asia, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Addressing the group in four languages, the Pope expressed his closeness to “those who are suffering and to those who are trying desperately to escape, thereby increasing the flow of migration that often remains without hope.” The Holy Father hoped that “necessary emergency assistance will be forthcoming,” and that “every possible form of mediation will be explored, so that violence may cease and social harmony and peaceful coexistence may everywhere be restored, with respect for the rights of individuals as well as communities.” Speaking in French the Pope specifically addressed the situation of Christians in the Holy Land and the Middle East. He urged ROACO to do everything possible through their local as well as international contacts to ensure that native Christian pastors and faithful be able live in their homeland not as foreigners but as co-citizens who witness to Jesus Christ, just as the saints of the oriental Churches have done before them in the past.