Philip Gemayel was elected Patriarch on June 14, 1795. His election was opposed by some bishops; the ones nearer to the previous Patriarch Joseph Estephan died in 1793, i.e. Joseph Tyan, John Helou and Joseph Najm (or Nujaym). Philip Gemayel asked the Vatican for confirmation, writing a request with twelve propositions.[4] But he died a few months later, on April 12, 1796, before getting his answer. Pope Pius VI, unaware of Gemayel's death, confirmed his election on June 27, 1796.[5]
^[The addition of the name Peter (in Arabic : Boutros ) your first name is customary for newly elected Maronite patriarchs; about El Gemayel, acts Consistory of 1796 call Philippus Petrus , and likewise the patriarch signature Philippus Petrus patriarcha Antiochenus in the letter with a request to the pope the confirmation of his election.]
^de Clercq, Charles (1949). Histoire des conciles d'après les documents originaux, Tome XI Conciles des Orientaux Catholiques. Vol. 1. Paris: Letouzey et Ané. p. 283.
^Leeuwen, Richard (1994). Notables and Clergy in Mount Lebanon: the Khazin Sheiks and the Maronite Church. Boston: Brill Academic Publishers. p. 143. ISBN90-04-09978-6.
^Dib, Pierre (2001). Histoire des Maronites: L'église maronite du XVIe siècle à nos jours, Volume 3. Librairie Orientale. p. 217. ISBN978-9953-17-005-3.