Invitation of His Excellency Selim Sfeir to the representatives of Commission of Bishops in Europe, October 2, 2025
Your Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters.
Allow me to briefly present the island of Cyprus, which will host our next meeting. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has always been a bridge between peoples, cultures, and faiths. Its capital, Nicosia, remains the last divided capital in the world, a reminder of political challenges but also of the desire for peace and reconciliation.
The history of Cyprus is deeply linked to Christianity. Here the Apostles Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel in the first century, making it one of the earliest Christian lands. The Orthodox Church of Cyprus has been autocephalous since the fifth century, and through many civilizations – Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Ottoman, and British – the Christian faith has remained a living presence.
The Maronite Church has been present since the 8th century and still maintains its historic villages as a testimony of faith and tradition.
By choosing Cyprus for our meeting, you have chosen a land small in size but great in history, rooted in apostolic origins and called today to witness to hope. It is a joy and an honor to welcome you here, so that we may walk together in communion at the service of the Gospel in Europe.