Arabic has made its debut as one of the official languages at Pope Benedict XVI's weekly general audiences as part of a Vatican attempt to reach out more to Christians and Muslims in the Middle East.
The Vatican is concerned about the exodus from the Middle East of Christians, many of whom leave because they fear for their safety. Christians now comprise 5% of the population of the region, down from 20% a century ago.
According to some estimates, the current population of 12 million Christians in the Middle East could halve by 2020 if security and birth rates continue to decline.
Vatican officials said that speaking Arabic during the audiences, which are broadcast live on television and radio across the world, would send a comforting message to Christians in a region that is home to many Christian holy places. » | Reuters in Vatican City | Wednesday, October 10, 2012
