VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is adding Arabic to the languages spoken at Pope Benedict XVI's weekly Wednesday public audience, saying it is a means to express support for Christians in the Middle East.

Speakers now provide a summary of the pope's speech in Italian in six languages —English, French, Spanish. German, Polish and Portuguese.

Arabic will be introduced Oct. 10. The Vatican said Tuesday that in this way, Catholics will be reminded of the need to pray for peace in the Middle East.