From Eastern Churches: Pope Welcomes Election of Archbishop in Syria

18 April, 2026

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Church and World , Trending News

17 August, 2021

1 min

From Eastern Churches: Pope Welcomes Election of Archbishop in Syria

Msgr. Georges Khawam, M.S.P to be new Archbishop of Lattaquié of the Greek Melkites, Syria

Pope Francis has granted his assent to the election of the Reverend Fr. Georges Khawam, M.S.P., (Pauline Fathers), until now superior of the Convent of Saints Constantine and Helen in Harissa, Lebanon, as archbishop of Lattaquié, Syria.

The prelate had been elected by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Antioch of the Greek Melkites,

According to a Vatican biography, Msgr. Georges Khawam, M.S.P., was born on April 7, 1959 in Aleppo, Syria, and speaks Arabic, English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

He entered the minor seminary of the Pauline Fathers in Harissa, Lebanon, and continued his formation up to his religious vows and priestly ordination on Aug. 5, 1984.

In addition to possessing a licentiate in theology, the prelate has a degree in French literature, and studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

Since being ordained, he held various offices within his religious institute, including as teacher, director of studies, vice-rector of the seminary, and director of the Saint Paul Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Harissa.

From 2013 to 2019, he served as superior general of the Pauline Fathers, and at the end of his mandate, he was appointed as superior of the Convent of Saints Constantine and Helen in Harissa.

Msgr. Georges Khawam, M.S.P, has edited various publications and is a member of the editorial committee of the journal Al-Macarrat.

Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Editorial Director & Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for EXAUDI (& Prior, for ZENIT); Author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/