"The worrying situation in Iraq and the critical situation of the Christian community there" were among issues discussed along with "the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian question and Lebanon," the Holy See said in a statement.

A Catholic Chaldean priest and three deacons were murdered last Sunday in northern Iraq, followed three days later by the kidnapping of another priest and five of his parishioners.

Benedict's righthand man Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone lamented in a recent interview "the dramatic situation for Iraqi Christians, which continues to get worse."

The Chaldean Catholic church is an autonomous Eastern rite church with upwards of 700,000 followers that maintains full communion with the Vatican.

Benedict said "it was hoped, once more, for 'regional' and 'negotiated' solutions to the conflicts and crises afflicting the (Middle East) region," the Vatican statement said, describing the half-hour talks with Bush as "cordial."