Vatican City, Jan 24, 2017 / 08:57 am
On behalf of Pope Francis, the secretary of the new Vatican department for Promoting Integral Human Development made a six-day visit to the Syrian city of Aleppo, ravaged by years of conflict between rebels and pro-government forces.
Lead by the secretary of the new department, Mons. Giampietro Dal Toso, the delegation visited the Syrian city Jan. 18-23, and marked the first official visit by representatives of the Holy See after the city's four-year conflict ended Dec. 22.
According to a Jan. 24 communique from the Vatican, "the delegation was able to meet the Christian community and their pastors, who expressed gratitude to the Pope for his constant concern for the beloved Syria."
Neo-Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, and Thomas Habib, Director of the Apostolic Nunciature, were also part of the delegation, which traveled to Catholic charities and refugee camps in the area.