VATICAN CITY, JAN. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI got a firsthand report of the situation of Christians in the Holy Land today.
The Pope was visited by eight prelates from the Conference of Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions, among whom was Archbishop Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem.
The bishops, from countries such as Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, visited the Pope for their five-yearly visit. They discussed with him the phenomenon of the emigration of Christians from the Holy Land.
Other issues discussed with the Holy Father, some of the bishops reported after the meeting, were the problems of justice and peace, and the formation of priests and laypeople.
During their time in Rome, the prelates will meet with bishops from American and Europe who make up part of a council coordinating support of the Holy Land. This latter group began its annual visit to Jerusalem on Saturday. They will finish their tour with a stop in Rome, where they will meet with the Middle East prelates.
