Cardinal Gugerotti has now returned from his mission in Syria after almost a week in the country. His visit was a request from the Pope to convey his support to Syrian Catholics, in this moment of political transition.
The trip of the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches left images like these: the Cardinal with a Syrian Catholic archbishop and celebrating Mass on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in the capital, Damascus.
But in addition to promoting spiritual support for Catholics residing in Syria, Gugerotti had an important meeting at a political level.
His visit coincided with that of the United Nations High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, who attended a Mass.
The Italian diplomat was in Syria visiting some humanitarian aid centres and meeting refugee families who are returning home.
FILIPPO GRANDI
United Nations High Commissioner
They come back full of hope, energy, and determination to rebuild their lives, but they face big challenges in a country that has been affected by conflicts, by crisis for so many years.
Since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, more than 200,000 refugees and around 600,000 internally displaced persons have returned to Syria.
CA
TR: GS