New Syrian leader Abu Mohammed al
Jolani expressed admiration for Pope Francis and said he
considered Christians a fundamental part of Syrian society
during a meeting in Damascus on New Year's Eve with Ibrahim
Faltas, the vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land.
Faltas's account of the meeting was published by Vatican daily
L'Osservatore Romano on Saturday.
"I do not consider Syrian Christians a minority but an integral
and important part of the history of the Syrian people," al
Jolani said.
He also expressed "great admiration, esteem and respect for Pope
Francis", saying he considered him "a true man of peace.
"I have appreciated his appeals and his actions in favour of
peace and peoples in difficulty," he said.
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