Christians of different faiths pray in Bari for peace in the Middle East

The Pope Francis called the "thirst for profit" and the struggle for income from oil and gas production, as well as "religious fundamentalism" and "fanaticism" the cause of wars in the Middle East. Speaking in the Italian city of Bari, where hierarchs of various Christian faiths gathered, Francis emphasized that war is "the offspring of power and poverty." According to the pontiff, the world may come if the powers in the Middle East will not strive for dominance and will fight together with poverty. Francis also called for protecting Christian minorities in the Middle East.

In Bari under the auspices of Francis, the ecumenical "Day of thought and prayers for peace in the Middle East." The Pope and other religious leaders together bowed to the relics of St. Nicholas of Mirliki, who is revered by all Christian faiths. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the leaders of a number of Orthodox churches, as well as Protestant faiths, came to the meeting. The Russian Orthodox Church is represented by Metropolitan Hilarion.