Pope Francis says worried about Middle Eastern Christians Concerned about Syria, Iraq and other conflict zones

(ANSAmed) - VATICAN CITY, NOVEMBER 21 - Pope Francis on Thursday called for respect of human rights and the end of persecution for Christians in the Middle East.



''The living conditions of Christians arouse great worry, who in many parts of the Middle East endure the consequences of current tensions and conflicts in a particularly burdensome manner,'' said the pontiff, naming Syria, Iraq, Egypt and ''other parts of the Holy Land that sometimes drip with blood''.



The pope called for ''respect for everyone's right to a dignified life and freedom to profess their own religion'' in the Middle East.



''The Bishop of Rome will not rest as long as there are men and women of any religion with injured dignity, deprived of life's necessities, robbed of their futures, forced to the status of refugees and displaced persons,'' declared Pope Francis in a hearing at the plenary session of the Congregation of Oriental Catholic Churches. (ANSAmed).



