Pope Francis has sent a representative to Syria and Turkey from February 17-21. Italian Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches will be accompanied by the undersecretary of the Dicastery and his personal secretary.
Archbishop Gugerotti will provide spiritual support to the victims of the earthquakes and extend the Pope's closeness to them. As there are no direct flights to Syria, he will arrive via Beirut and he will visit organizations run by religious groups, such as Aid to the Church in Need, Caritas Syria and the Jesuit Refugee Service.
The delegation will also visit Damascus and meet with Catholic and other denominational patriarchs and bishops.
On the morning of February 21, Pope Francis' representatives will meet with Turkish bishops and Caritas representatives. Then, they will return to Rome to share their experience with the Pope.
RM
TR: KG
