A country torn by the horrors
of war and permanent conflicts with multiple hospitality and is looking for a
way out of these conflicts and wants peace and this message that Pope Francis
carried in his historical visit to Iraq, which is the first visit of the Pope
to Iraq.
An honorable reception and
prominent personalities who were in the reception and visits to personalities
of important political weight in the country, and large preparations from Iraq
to receive the Pope, a prayer from the Pope for peace to prevail, and a call
for help in establishing peace in a country that has not known peace for many
years.
Historic Visit
The Pope’s visit is historic
because it is the first of its kind for a Pope to visit Iraq, as the Pope received
an official invitation from President Barham Salih inviting the Pope to visit
Iraq.
At a time when Iraq suffers
from the return of suicide bombers to the bombings of important areas and the
killing of innocents in addition to the targeting of diplomatic missions with
missiles by armed groups.
Also, the Pope insisted on
visiting Iraq in light of the outbreak of the Corona virus and a complete
closure in the country due to an increase in the number of infections in the
country. The visit, which extends for a period of four days, will visit a
number of cities and prominent personalities in the country.
It is also the first visit that
comes after the previous regime refused to receive the Pope and argued that the
economic blockade prevents Iraq from preparing for the visit that Pope John
will pay at that time.
while the current Iraqi
government has made great preparations and tightened security and tight
security for the Pope on his first visit and unprecedented preparations.
Messages Carried by the Pope to
Iraq
The Pope told the Iraqis that a
pilgrim had come to them and wanted to visit the grave of the Prophet Abraham
in the Ur region in the province of Nasiriyah, and to ask for forgiveness, for
the tragedies to disappear, and for peace to come, and to remind the Iraqis
that they are better than all of his divine religions.
Rapprochement with the poor and
the marginalized The Pope is not satisfied with visiting developed countries
only, but he wants to approach the weak before the strong in his missionary
message.
Although bring the Church
closer to everyone and all spectrums, and that the Pope’s visit comes because
of the disasters that Iraq has faced and is facing its repercussions at the
present time.
Praying to the Iraqis and
telling them that the Pope is interested in their order and raising the spirits
of the Christian community which has suffered since the collapse of the
previous regime from the ravages of war and terrorists.
And finally, the Islamic state
that destroyed their homes and places of worship in which the Pope prayed
between destroyed walls and a message to them to stay in their homes due to the
large number Of the Christians who left Iraq in recent years.
Visits and Meetings of the Pope
The Pope was received by
President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazmi, who thanked the
Pope for accepting the invitation and visiting Iraq despite the difficult
circumstances the country is going through and after meeting the politicians
and leaders of the country for political rapprochement to Iraq.
The visit of the supreme Shiite
cleric, Ali al-Sistani, who is considered the most prominent Shiite cleric in
the country, and analysts said that this visit would bring Shiites and
Christians closer together.
Also, may contribute to
improving the conditions of Christians in light of the power that the Shiites
possess in the country and the influence that Sistani possesses.
The devastating visit to Mosul,
which would restore hope to the Muslims and Christians, especially after the
destruction and brutality that came from the Islamic state and the terrorist
attacks on the city in previous years, as well as the destroyed churches and
places of worship.
Visiting the Kurds in the North
Perhaps the Pope’s visit to the Kurdistan Region and the meeting with Nechirvan
Barzani, is a kind of thanks for receiving Christians who fled from the
oppression of the Islamic State and praising the brotherhood and coexistence
between Muslims and Christians, which has always been unique in Kurdistan.
At the conclusion of his
historic visit to Iraq, the Pope said that Iraq will remain in his hearts.
Likewise, on International Women’s Day, which coincided with the Pope’s
departure from Iraq, he thanked the women of Iraq and called for respect for
women.
To protect them and give them greater opportunities, because despite the difficulties and violations of their right, they are still steadfast. The Pope affirmed that he prays for Iraq and called for the brothers, and that he needed a representative visit to a country with a great history in civilizations and races.
That the meeting of
prominent personalities such as Sistani came after prayers and strict thinking,
and that these visits would further develop brotherhood between different
religions.
The Pope did not rule out a
visit by my representatives to the Middle East, where he received an invitation
to visit Lebanon, and the Pope may decide to pay a visit to the country with a
high Christian percentage and which suffers from severe crises.
While he has ruled out a visit
to Syria and that he is currently going to consider a visit to Lebanon, but he
emphasized his proximity to wounded Syria and to pray for them.
Written by - Abduljalil
Hage
Edited by - Adrija Saha
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