Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East has traveled to Italy for a series of meetings with Pope Leo XIV and senior representatives of the Holy See, with the situation of Christians in the Middle East, peace and Christian unity expected to be central topics of discussion.

According to the Antiochian Patriarchate’s press service, Patriarch John X will also meet with Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. His itinerary also includes a meeting with representatives of the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio.

On his way to Rome, Patriarch John visited the Bose Monastic Community in northern Italy. He was welcomed by the monastery’s prior, Father Sabino, members of the monastic community and participants in a patristic conference attended by representatives of several Orthodox Churches. The patriarch celebrated Vespers at the monastery church.

“We bring you the love of the Church of Antioch and ask for your prayers for peace in the East,” Patriarch John said in his address to those gathered.

He highlighted the longstanding ties between the Antiochian Church and the Bose community, stressing the importance of such encounters in strengthening dialogue between Christians of the East and West.

Relations between the Antiochian Patriarchate and Rome have developed against the backdrop of the difficult circumstances facing Christian communities across the Middle East. Both sides have repeatedly called for an end to conflicts, reconciliation, the protection of human dignity and the preservation of the Christian presence in the region.

For the Antiochian Church, one of the most painful unresolved issues remains the fate of two Syrian bishops of Aleppo, Paul Yazigi and John Ibrahim, who were kidnapped in Syria in 2013. Their whereabouts and fate remain unknown.

Patriarch John X has led the Antiochian Orthodox Church since 2012. During Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon in December 2025, he spoke of the historic connection between the ancient apostolic sees of Antioch and Rome. He noted that it was in Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called Christians.

The current visit is taking place amid continuing instability in the Middle East. The Antiochian Patriarchate hopes that closer contacts with Rome will draw greater international attention to the plight of Christians in the region and strengthen a joint Christian appeal for peace, human dignity and peaceful coexistence among peoples.