VATICAN - The Pope encourages Pastors and faithful of the Middle East "not to lose hope, even in hardship" that beset them

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – At the end of the general audience Wednesday, March 7, the Holy Father Benedict XVI greeted the Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics and the Bishops attending the Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church in Rome. These are the Pope’s words: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, I now wish to greet with fraternal affection, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics, and the Bishops from around the world attending their Synod in Rome. I express sincere gratitude to them for their fidelity to their heritage and Christian tradition and to the Successor of St. Peter, fidelity that has always sustained the faithful throughout the innumerable trials in history. I accompany with the earnest prayer and Apostolic Blessing the Synodal work, hoping that they will encourage even more fellowship and understanding among the pastors, so that they may be able to drive with renewed evangelical impetus the Armenian Catholics on the paths of a generous and joyful witness to Christ and the Church. While I entrust the Armenian Synod to the maternal intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, I extend my prayerful thought to the Regions of the Middle East, encouraging Pastors and all the faithful to persevere with hope in the great suffering that afflict those dear people. The Lord bless you". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/03/2012)