A year after his historic trip to Iraq, Pope Francis welcomed to the Vatican representatives of the different Christian Churches in Iraq.
Among those present was the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch, Card. Louis Raphael Sako, who thanked the Pope for his apostolic visit in 2021 and for his constant support of Christians in Iraq.
'Your presence, your encounters and your messages have been a great source of support and a lot of hope'.
Pope Francis encouraged Christian Churches to continue working together to promote concrete pastoral initiatives and to be an example of unified diversity.
POPE FRANCIS
'You are well aware that interreligious dialogue is not a matter of mere courtesy. No. It goes beyond that. It is not a matter of negotiation or diplomacy. No. It goes beyond that. It is a path of brotherhood toward peace, a path that is often arduous but which, especially in these times, God asks for and blesses'.
He explained that dialogue is the best antidote for extremism, which he described as a serious threat to peace. He also lamented that Iraq has been affected by so many wars and conflicts.
POPE FRANCIS
'Your country is a victim. It is in need of autonomous and cohesive development without—as has sadly happened too many times—it being damaged by external interests. Your country has its own dignity, its own freedom, and it cannot be reduced to a battlefield'.
Pope Francis assured Church leaders of his prayers for Iraq and urged them not to be discouraged by those who, “on various levels, threaten peace.” To conclude their meeting, those gathered prayed the Lord's Prayer together, each in his own language.
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