From the Huffington Post:
Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land on May 24 has highlighted an increasing exodus of Christians from the Middle East, the very region that gave birth to the religion.
The percentage of Christians in the Middle East was just 5% of the total population as of 2010 — down from 10% in 1900. Researchers have cited violence and growing religious intolerance as some the reasons for this massive decline, and it is unclear whether the pope’s visit will be enough to shift this trend.“I am sad to think that maybe the time will come in which Christianity will disappear from this land,” Vatican envoy Rev. Juan Solana told the Associated Press.
Click here for a graphic look at the ongoing decline of Christianity in the Middle East.