The Holy See did not make public the issues that were discussed between Patriarch Emmanuel II Delly and the Holy Father on Saturday. But sources told ZENIT that one of the topics was the future of Catholics in the wake of the Iraqi elections.
The meeting took place during a demonstration in Rome calling for the liberation of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena who was kidnapped earlier this month.
The Holy Father appealed for her release Feb. 13. Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Vatican secretary for relations with states, confirmed on Friday that the Church is trying to work in Iraq for her liberation.
Responding to journalists outside a reception at the Italian Embassy in the Vatican, Archbishop Lajolo explained that the «Chaldean patriarch assured me that both he and the apostolic nuncio have knocked on every possible door to establish a contact. Up to now, unfortunately, in vain.»
