POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE ON TRIP TO IRAQ

Pope Francis called for an end to violence and extremism on Friday, March 5, 2021, as he began the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, where the Christian community has dwindled after years of war and persecution, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

The 84-year-old pontiff defied the global pandemic and security concerns after a series of recent attacks in Iraq to make his first foreign trip in more than a year. The four-day trip is seen as a message of hope for Iraqis whose country has been scarred by decades of sectarian feuds and terrorism.

“May there be an end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance,” the pope said in an address at the presidential palace in Baghdad. He called on Iraqi politicians to guarantee equal rights to all citizens as well as to combat corruption and the misuse of power.

"Let no citizen be regarded as a second-class citizen,” Francis told the assembled officials and diplomats.

There were once more than 1 million Christians in Iraq, but now their population is estimated to be between 250,000 and 400,000 after years of war, religious persecution, and a steep economic decline.

"We love you, pope," a group of Christians chanted in several languages as they clapped while welcoming the pope at the Sayidat al-Najat (Our Lady of Salvation) church in Baghdad.

The Syriac-Catholic church, the pope's final stop on Friday, was the site of one of the worst massacres of Iraqi Christians in 2010, when dozens were killed by al-Qaeda-linked militants. “Their deaths are a powerful reminder that inciting war, hateful attitudes, violence or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teachings,” Francis told the clergy gathering in the church.

As Iraq lays the foundation for a democratic society, it is "essential to ensure participation of all political, social and religious groups and guarantee fundamental rights of all citizens," he said at the welcome event.

The pope told his listeners to encourage the spirit of fraternal solidarity and foster transparency, and also called on the international community to continue supporting Iraq as it is recovering from a devastating war against Islamic State militants. His first day was filled with music, chants, flags and flowers as well as calls for equality, peace, and embracing diversity.

Francis held bilateral talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi and President Barham Salih. At the official ceremony, Salih thanked Francis for visiting Iraq despite "exceptional circumstances worldwide" due to the pandemic, as well as a tense security situation in the country.

This is the pope's first trip since the coronavirus pandemic began. "Overcoming all these circumstances doubles the value of your visit in the eyes of Iraqis," Salih said. Salih said that the continued emigration of Christians "will have dire consequences for the concepts of pluralism and tolerance." He said their return is needed for healing and ensuring diversity in the region, and acknowledged that "vigorous economic development efforts and restoring security" are needed to draw them back.

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