September 8, 2007 (LPAC)--Pope Benedict XVI is conducting a series of meetings with leaders of Southwest Asia, discussing the mounting crisis there. On Sept 5 Farouk al-Charaa, Vice President of the Syrian Arab Republic, met with the Pope, to whom he hand delivered a personal written message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Vatican reported that the discussions including the "hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees" taken in by Syria and "the decisive contribution the Syrian Arab Republic can make to the grave crises affecting many people in the Middle East."

On September 6 the Pope received Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Vatican reports: "Subjects of mutual interest were discussed" which included "implementation of joint initiatives in favor of peace."

Also, on September 6, the Pope received Israeli President Shimon Peres. Their discussions included "the recent renewal of contact between Israelis and Palestinians and the effort to restore peace to the Holy Land."

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Sfeir is also in Vatican City for meetings. All the leaders also met with officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State and other Italian leaders.