On Saturday, January 25, 2025, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Paul’s Shrine in Tabbaleh, Damascus, marking both the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Patriarch Youssef Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Cardinal Mario Zenari, the apostolic nuncio to Syria, and Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the apostolic vicar of Aleppo and head of the Latin Church in Syria (ACI MENA).
Cardinal Gugerotti, speaking to ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic news partner, underscored that his visit was strictly for ecclesiastical purposes. “I am observing the situation and trying to listen to the people here,” he said, adding, “One day is not enough to fully grasp people’s suffering, but I see life pulsating in Damascus. One sign of this is the bustling markets and crowded streets, which even caused me to arrive late to today’s liturgy. This is a positive indication that there is a desire for life” (ACI MENA).
He clarified that no political engagements were planned, emphasizing his mission’s focus on the welfare of Christian communities. “Political matters are outside the scope of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches,” he stated (ACI MENA).
During the liturgy, Cardinal Gugerotti conveyed Pope Francis’ solidarity with Syria’s Christians, saying, “I am honored to be here as Pope Francis’ representative. His Holiness deeply understands the burdens that you bear within your hearts and has asked me to convey his heartfelt wish that God fills your hearts with genuine and complete peace” (ACI MENA).
Reflecting on the city’s historical significance, he noted, “Damascus is a beautiful, radiant city that was like a queen during the Roman Empire. Although it now bears the marks of age, it remains a queen. On the very roads you travel daily, a monumental event occurred — Saul, who persecuted Christians relentlessly, fell to the ground here and rose again as Paul, discovering the beauty and mystery of Christ the Lord” (ACI MENA).
He further elaborated on the transformation of St. Paul, emphasizing the universality of Christianity: “Thanks to St. Paul, we gather here today. What could have remained a small Jewish sect opened its doors in Damascus to embrace the entire world. Therefore Paul is rightly called the apostle to the nations” (ACI MENA).
Cardinal Gugerotti’s visit, which spans from January 24 to 29, is the first by a Vatican envoy to Syria since the regime change, focusing on assessing the Christian community’s conditions across cities like Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs (ACI MENA).
The ceremony concluded with a visit to St. Paul’s Grotto for prayer, highlighting the ongoing commitment to Christian unity and resilience amidst adversity.