US Vice President Mike Pence addressed the gathering, vowing that America would “always stand with those who suffer for their faith, and we will always support them in the hour of their need.”

While the conference itself was well attended, Middle East Christian leaders and journalists were wary of the American promises.

Elie Haddad, Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Sidon, told Lebanon’s Al-Nahar daily that he “does not believe [the Americans’] statements because they always do the opposite of what they say.” Haddad added that “the American favoring of the Christians does not benefit them.”

Lebanese Coptic leader Archbishop Louis Urshalimi said much the same, noting that former US President Barack Obama had actually backed the Muslim Brotherhood, which oppresses...

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