Orla Guerin has been talking to some of them about the recent rise in anti-Christian violence.

At least 38 people were killed and scores wounded in Orissa last year in waves of anti-Christian violence.

In Egypt, al-Sisi has tried with moderate success to reverse the outbreaks of anti-Christian violence that threatened to multiply after the revolution in Egypt.

Pope Benedict created India's first woman saint today and appealed for an end to anti-Christian violence there that has claimed dozens of lives since August.