Cypriot President Meets Pope
The Middle East conflict was at the center of discussions between Pope Francis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on November 24 at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
Their private discussion addressed Cyprus’s initiative to get humanitarian aid to Gaza, concerns regarding a potential escalation in the region, and Cyprus’s efforts to deescalate, according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. The two also discussed migration and the state of religion in Cyprus.
It was a visit of particular importance and symbolism, the first for the president, especially given the approaching 50th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and the Holy See.
—Konstantinos Letymbiotis
Cyprus’s strategic role: Cyprus’s proximity to Israel and Gaza has made it a staging ground for European operations in the Middle East. Following the Hamas terrorist attack, Germany stationed special forces on the island and increased its military cooperation.
At the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel, Christodoulides joined a November 13 dinner with a group of leaders of European Union member states in Berlin. Just three days later, Scholz and Christodoulides had a follow-up phone conversation.
Germany and the Vatican’s interest in Cyprus is something the Trumpet has watched for decades.
Fulfilled prophecy: In 1980, editor in chief of the Plain Truth (predecessor of the Trumpet) Herbert W. Armstrong visited Cyprus by invitation of the acting president Georgios Ladas. Mr. Armstrong used the meeting to speak about Bible prophecy that reveals that the Holy Roman Empire, traditionally ruled by Germany, would once again rise and take control of Cyprus.
“And religion is going to play a part in that again,” Mr. Armstrong warned. “Religion has played such a part in wars in the past.”
This empire is prophesied to rise and interfere in the Middle East conflict.
Watch Trumpet editor in Chief Gerald Flurry’s recent Key of David program “The King of the North,” where he discusses these prophecies in detail and shows how they are now being fulfilled.
