Pope meets with Syrian VP, discusses Iraq refugees, Christians and others in ME

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Pope meets with Syrian VP, discusses Iraq refugees, Christians and others in Mideast
The Associated Press
Published: September 5, 2007

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials met Wednesday with Syria's vice president, Farouk al-Sharaa, to discuss the situation of Christians in Syria and the role Damascus should play in bringing peace to the Middle East, the Vatican said.

Al-Sharaa delivered a personal message to Benedict from Syrian President Bashar Assad, although the contents weren't released.

The visit came on the eve of Benedict's audience with Israeli President Shimon Peres, part of a new international diplomatic push under way on the Middle East.

The Vatican said al-Sharaa met with the pope and the Vatican's Foreign Minister, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.

In a statement, the Vatican said Syria's efforts to welcome Iraqi refugees was discussed, and that the Vatican also dwelled on the conditions and problems faced by Christians in the country — a topic frequently raised by Benedict in meetings with Mideast leaders

In addition, the two sides discussed the "decisive contribution that the Syrian Arab Republic can make to overcome the serious crises that are affecting many people of the Middle East," the statement said, without elaborating.

Benedict has previously urged Syria to use its influence in the region to help resolve conflicts in Lebanon, the Holy Land and Iraq, and to counter terrorism.

"The world looks especially to countries with significant influence in the Middle East in the hopeful expectation of signs of progress toward the resolution of these long-standing conflicts," Benedict said in December as he greeted Syria's new ambassador to the Holy See, Makram Obeid.

Pope meets with Syrian VP, discusses Iraq refugees, Christians and others in Mideast

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Very interesting development. Let's keep our eyes open.

And I wonder what the Catholic have to say about this?

It seems that everyone and their mother is trying to get into these peace negotiations. And it brought to mind this,

1 Thessalonians 5:2-5 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.

In light of the upcoming Washington peace talks. We'll see what happens folks.

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Iran, Italy review mutual, regional developments.
Rome, Sept 5, IRNA

Iran-Italy-Relations
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and American Affairs Saeed Jalili conferred on Wednesday with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on issues of mutual interests as well as regional developments.

Iran's envoy arrived in Rome on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the Italian prime minister called Iran's close cooperation with IAEA as sign of good-will of the Iranian officials.

Lauding Iran's stands and the country's good cooperation with the IAEA in pressing ahead with mutual talks, he underlined that it is the legitimate rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran to take advantage of peaceful nuclear technology.

Given Iran's cooperation with the IAEA, he said "I have always believed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is for peaceful nuclear activities."

The Iranian envoy, for his part, lauded logical and just stands of Italian government in dealing with Iran's peaceful nuclear program as well as the country's role in regional developments.

In another development, the Iranian envoy conferred with a number of Italian officials on issues of mutual interests and exchanged views with them.

Jalili left Rome for Paris this afternoon.

Iran, Italy review mutual, regional developments.