The Role of the Vatican in the Modern Ethno-Confessional Processes in the Middle East

Abstract

The article analyzes the Vatican’s role in the modern ethno-confessional processes in the Middle East. The author notes that the Vatican has a long historical tradition of being present in the Middle East, but currently one of its most important goals in this region, where the religious tradition of Christianity was born, has become the protection of Middle Eastern Christians. It is stated that the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church is making numerous efforts to resolve this problem, using the all possible tools and channels of influence. It is emphasized that in addition to the actual humanitarian projects and actions, within the framework of which cooperation has been established, including with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Holy See claims to direct political participation in international processes for the settlement of crisis situations in the Middle East. The Vatican also actively uses multi-vector diplomatic ties and contacts at various levels — from official to private. It is noted that the interests of the Vatican and Russia in this sphere intersect, which contributes to their close cooperation in the Middle East. The author proves that the Holy See is Russia’s temporary ally in its efforts to stabilize the situation in the Middle East, and primarily in Syria. The conclusion is made that the Vatican does not support the ideas of the region being fragment and disavows the American geopolitical concept of the “Greater Middle East,” which is the concept of democratic “reconstruction” of the region from the outside.