1.-FIRST POPE IN IRAQ
The first moment of the trip to Iraq was Pope Francis' arrival. He became the first pontiff to set foot in this country.
He fulfilled John Paul II's dream of visiting the land of Abraham. In Ur of the Chaldeans, Pope Francis participated in a meeting with representatives of the three monotheistic religions, to speak out against fundamentalists.
POPE FRANCIS
We believers cannot be silent when terrorism abuses religion.
2.-MEETING WITH ALI AL-SISTANI
Ali al-Sistani welcomed Pope Francis in a historic meeting. Never before had this important Shia leader met with a pope.
He shared his desire to see “Christian citizens living like all Iraqis in peace and security while preserving all their constitutional rights.” He also told Pope Francis of his concern about the injustices suffered by minorities, like the Palestinians.
3.-IN MOSUL AND QARAQOSH
Pope Francis fulfilled Iraq's decimated Christian community's wildest dream: to see the pope among their homes and destroyed churches, and to tell him their stories.
DOHA SABAH ABDALLAH
“They told me that my son and his cousin were dead, as was our neighbor, a young girl who had been preparing for marriage.
POPE FRANCIS
The road to a full recovery may still be long, but I ask you, please, not to grow discouraged.
4.-FRATERNITY AND UNITY
In his messages, Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized that Iraq must be reborn in unity and fraternity.
POPE FRANCIS
Fraternity is stronger than fratricide. Hope is more powerful than death. Peace is more powerful than war.
POPE FRANCIS
“Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart. I ask all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to work together in unity for a future of peace and prosperity that leaves no one behind and discriminates against no one. I assure you of my prayers for this beloved country.”
Salam, Salam! Sukran! [Thank you.] God bless you all! May God bless Iraq! Allah ma'akum! [God be with you.]
Javier Romero
