Pope extends Eastern Catholic Patriarchs

Pope Francis, with a Rescriptum published by the Vatican Press Office, has extended the jurisdiction of the Eastern Catholic Patriarchs over the entire Arabian Peninsula, which includes the Apostolic Vicariates of Northern and Southern Arabia. The latest announcement – fruit of careful evaluation by the Pope and the appropriate Dicasteries of the Roman Curia –  is in response to requests made by the Patriarchs and Apostolic Vicars of Northern and Southern Arabia, in view of the greater spiritual good of the faithful, as well as the historical prerogatives of their jurisdiction over the territory.