Catholic World News News Feature

Vatican prelate visiting Eastern Catholics in Holy Land February 27, 2008

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri is making his first official visit to the Holy Land in his capacity as the prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, Vatican Radio reports.

Cardinal Sandri was appointed in June 2007 to head the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. He had previously served from 2000 to 2007 as the sostituto, or deputy secretary, of the Secretariat of State.

During his visit to the Holy Land the Italian cardinal will meet with representatives of several different Eastern Catholic churches. He is also meeting with the Latin-rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem.