Give peace a chance
Pope urges Iraqis to shun extremism, violence in his historic trip to the trouble-torn Arab country
Pope Francis, beginning the first trip by a pontiff to Iraq, made an impassioned call on Friday for an end to the militant violence and religious strife that has plagued the country for decades, saying peacemakers should finally be given a chance.
“May the clash of arms be silenced ... may there be an end to acts of violence and extremism,” he said, addressing Iraqi President Barham Saleh, politicians and diplomats at the presidential palace.
Pope Francis arrived at Baghdad airport under tight security. Hundreds of people gathered in small clusters to see him being driven into Baghdad in bulletproof BMW, a departure for a pope who normally insists on using small, normal cars.
In his speech at the palace, Francis criticised factional and foreign interests that have destabilised Iraq and the wider region and hit ordinary people the hardest.
He later paid tribute to people killed in attacks motivated by religion, visiting a Baghdad church where gunmen killed about 50 worshippers in 2010. The pope’s whirlwind tour will take him by plane, helicopter and cars to four cities — Reuters
The religious, cultural and ethnic diversity that has been a hallmark of Iraqi society for millennia is a precious resource on which to draw, not an obstacle to eliminate.
Pope Francis
It’s impossible to imagine Mideast without Christians. Our region will not see any success unless it guarantees return of its Christians. Barham Saleh
Iraq’s President
Pope’s historic visit to brotherly Iraq is another step towards consolidating the vision of tolerance... and dialogue that every rational person seeks. Dr Anwar Gargash,
Adviser to the UAE President
The historic and courageous visit of my brother Pope Francis to Iraq carries a message of peace and solidarity for all the Iraqi people.
Dr Ahmed El Tayeb,
Grand Imam of Al Azhar
Pope Francis called for an end to extremism and violence in his opening address on Friday on the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, long scarred by war and now gripped by coronavirus.
The 84-year-old is defying a second wave of the global pandemic and renewed security fears to make a “long-awaited” trip to comfort one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, while also deepening his dialogue with Muslims.
“May there be an end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance!” urged Francis in the stirring address, his first after arriving in Iraq.
Francis landed in the afternoon at Baghdad’s International Airport, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhemi, as well as groups showcasing Iraq’s diverse folklore music and dance.
He then met President Barham Saleh — who had extended the official invitation to the pontiff in 2019 — as well as other government and religious figures.
At the imposing presidential palace, the head of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics gave a moving address, stressing the deep roots of Christianity in Iraq.
“The age-old presence of Christians in this land, and their contributions to the life of the nation, constitute a rich heritage that they wish to continue to place at the service of all,” said Pope Francis.
He also urged Iraqi officials to “combat the scourge of corruption, misuse of power and disregard for law,”, in a country consistently ranked one of the most graft-tainted by Transparency International.
The pope, a prominent promoter of interfaith dialogue, also hailed other devastated Iraqi minorities.
“Here, among so many who have suffered, my thoughts turn to the Yazidis, innocent victims of senseless and brutal atrocities,” he said.
The pope also addressed the faithful at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on Friday, where a militant attack in 2010 left dozens of worshippers dead.
“We are gathered in this Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation, hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters who here paid the ultimate price of their fidelity to the Lord and his Church,” he said.
Just like Iraq’s Christian population, the esoteric Yazidi community was ravaged in 2014 by the Daesh group’s sweep over much of northern Iraq.
The trip is the pontiff ’s first travel abroad since the coronavirus pandemic, which had left him feeling “caged” in Vatican City — and it has been hailed as a bold choice.
Iraq endured decades of war, is still hunting for Daesh cells and is now facing a spike of Covid infections, with more than 5,000 new cases and dozens of deaths daily.
Authorities have imposed a full lockdown through the papal trip, which means Pope Francis will not be greeted by massive crowds of believers like on other foreign trips.
The pope has been vaccinated and was seen taking off his mask on Friday to speak with officials and religious figures in Baghdad, just days after Iraq launched its modest inoculation campaign.
“I’ll try to follow directions and not shake hands with everyone, but I don’t want to stay too far,” Pope Francis said ahead of his arrival.
He was also seen walking with a slight limp, likely a result of a painful bout of sciatica that he has suffered this year. Inside the country, he will travel more than 1,400 kilometres by plane and helicopter, flying over areas where security forces are still battling Daesh.
For shorter trips, Pope Francis will take an armoured car on freshly paved roads lined with flowers and posters welcoming him warmly as “Baba Aal -Vatican”.
He will address the faithful later on Friday afternoon at the Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad’s commercial Karrada district, where attendance has been restricted to allow for social distancing.
In 2010, militants stormed the church and killed 44 worshippers, two priests and several security force personnel in one of the bloodiest attacks on Iraq’s Christians.
Now, stained-glass windows at the church bear the victims’ names and a defiant message above the altar reads, “Where is your victory, oh death?”
The pope has insisted on going ahead with the visit despite resurgent violence, including rocket attacks that have left three people dead in recent weeks.
On the eve of Pope Francis’s arrival, one shadowy group that claimed a recent rocket attack said it would “halt all military activity” during his visit. —
The East cannot be imagined without Christians and their continued migration will have dire consequences.”
Barham salih, Iraqi president
Iraq’s people and government are welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis and reaffirming the depths of this humanitarian bond.” mustafa al Kadhemi, Iraqi Prime Minister
The historic and courageous visit of my brother Pope Francis to Iraq carries a message of peace, solidarity and support for all the Iraqi people.” dr ahmed el tayeb, Grand Imam, Al Azhar
Pope Francis’ various visits in the Muslim world have only served to strengthen dialogue and ties between East and West.” dr sultan al remeithi, SecretaryGeneral of Muslim Council of Elders