![Pope John Paul II shakes hands with Syrian President Basahr al-Assad as he leaves Syria for Malta May 8, 2001. Pope John Paul's II ended a three-day historical visit to Syria in Pope John Paul II shakes hands with Syrian President Basahr al-Assad as he leaves Syria for Malta May 8, 2001. Pope John Paul's II ended a three-day historical visit to Syria in](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D4C96R/pope-john-paul-ii-shakes-hands-with-syrian-president-basahr-al-assad-as-he-leaves-syria-for-malta-may-8-2001-pope-john-pauls-ii-ended-a-three-day-historical-visit-to-syria-in-the-steps-of-st-paul-the-apostle-pilgrimage-jdfms-2D4C96R.jpg)
Pope John Paul II shakes hands with Syrian President Basahr al-Assad as he leaves Syria for Malta May 8, 2001. Pope John Paul's II ended a three-day historical visit to Syria in
![Photo: POPE JOHN PAUL II AND SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD WAVE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN - - UPI.com Photo: POPE JOHN PAUL II AND SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD WAVE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN - - UPI.com](https://cdnph.upi.com/pv/upi/3bf491b3c000b2ef96ba3836d778b931/SYR2001050501.jpg)
Photo: POPE JOHN PAUL II AND SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD WAVE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN - - UPI.com
![Pope Francis, like Trump, is reluctant to condemn Russia on Syria and Ukraine | National Catholic Reporter Pope Francis, like Trump, is reluctant to condemn Russia on Syria and Ukraine | National Catholic Reporter](https://www.ncronline.org/files/stories/images/CNS-KIrill.jpg)
Pope Francis, like Trump, is reluctant to condemn Russia on Syria and Ukraine | National Catholic Reporter
![Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma attend the funeral of Pope John-Paul II joining more than two million mourners including royalty and political power brokers on St Peter's Square Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma attend the funeral of Pope John-Paul II joining more than two million mourners including royalty and political power brokers on St Peter's Square](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2EA3P3W/syrian-president-bashar-al-assad-and-his-wife-asma-attend-the-funeral-of-pope-john-paul-ii-joining-more-than-two-million-mourners-including-royalty-and-political-power-brokers-on-st-peters-square-at-vatican-city-on-friday-april-8-2005-photo-by-abd-rabbo-nebinger-zabulonabaca-2EA3P3W.jpg)
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma attend the funeral of Pope John-Paul II joining more than two million mourners including royalty and political power brokers on St Peter's Square
![President al-Assad receives letter from Pope Francis reiterating support for restoring stability in Syria – Syrian Arab News Agency President al-Assad receives letter from Pope Francis reiterating support for restoring stability in Syria – Syrian Arab News Agency](https://www.sana.sy/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/President-al-Assad_Pope-Francis-letter-1.jpg)