Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, condemned the atrocities committed by Muslims against Christians.

During a bipartisan and ecumenical conference sponsored by In Defense of Christians (IDC) in Washington, Sandri said "it is very significant that the meeting is taking place between people of different Christian denominations and people of religion who believe as Christ the value of the freedom of the human person."

Cardinal Sandri condemned the atrocities committed by Muslims against Christians, including expulsions of thousands, crucifixions, forced conversions, payment of jizya, abductions and the destruction of places of worships.

A letter from the Vatican Secretary of State was read to the audience. The letter expressed support for the IDC summit and stated that the Holy Father has expressed great concern for the Christians of the Middle East, and he renews the rights of Christians be upheld so "...they may live with respect, freely professing their faith, without harm to their dignities, without being deprived of the necessities of life, and without being robbed of their future."