NNA - Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Antioch and all the East, Youhanna X Yazigi, returned to Beirut on Tuesday evening, coming from the Vatican where he met with the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis.



Patriarch Yazigi thanked Pope Francis for his unremitting efforts to restore peace to the region and end war, especially in Syria.



Greeting him at Rafic Hariri International Airport have been Caretaker Culture Minister, Gaby Layyoun, representing the President of the Republic, Michel Sleiman, and senior bishops.



Speaking upon arrival, Yazigi said that he relayed to Pope Francis the cordial sentiments that the sons of the Antioch Church in Syria and Lebanon carry in their hearts towards his beatitude.



In reply to a question, the Patriarch said he dwelt with the supreme pontiff on an array of matters related to the Christian-Christian and Orthodox-Catholic church, as well as other issues related to the region.



Yazigi said he saw eye to eye with the Pope over current position regarding regional incidents.



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