Maltese bishop Mgr Silvester Magro , the bishop of Benghazi in Libya, was among prelates to be welcomed by Pope Francis during a visit made by bishops assigned to north African countries.

Pope Francis assured the bishops that they have the full support of the universal Church.

The Pope met with members of the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (CERNA), which groups the bishops of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. He remarked that the region has been encouraged in recent years by the “aspirations to greater freedom and dignity,” but also shaken by “outbursts of violence.”

The Pontiff paid tribute to the “spiritual patrimony” of the Church in northern Africa, mentioning the heritage of Sts. Cyprian and Augustine, and more recently Blessed Charles de Foucauld. He paid tribute to “the courage, loyalty and perseverance of the bishops of Libya, as well as the priests, consecrated persons, and lay people who stay in this country despite the many dangers.”

Pope Francis also welcomed several ecumenical initiatives in the region: the opening of Christian shrines to all people in Algeria; the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Tunisia; the Al Mowafaqa Ecumenical Institute in Morocco

In their own pastoral letter, presented to Pope Francis, the bishops of CERNA said that they had not given up the hope that was roused by the “Arab Spring.” Recognizing the turmoil in their region, they said that the quest for democracy would not be simple or quick, and “any attempt to copy or impose existing models would be futile and inappropriate.” But they said that they feel called to be “servants of hope” for the people of northern Africa.