BEIRUT: The Catholic Bishops in the Orient will hold a meeting in Rome to discuss the situation of the churches in their countries.

A statement from the Patriarchate of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem and all the Orient for the Catholic Greek Melkites said the meeting would be held in the Basilica of Cosmedin in Santa Maria Monday.

The statement added that the meeting would run parallel to those happening in Rome following the election of Pope Francis.

It also noted that the bishops would address world leaders about peace issues in the region and the need to preserve a Christian presence.

The Vatican has expressed fears about the fate of Christians in the Middle East as a result of the turmoil the region has been witnessing in the last two years and the rise of fundamentalist groups.

Separately, the papal nuncio in the Kesrouan town of Harissa received well-wishers Sunday following the election of the pope from an array of political, religious and social figures including MP Nabil de Freij, MP Fouad Saad and delegations from the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts and the Sisters of the Cross Foundation.