President of Iraq Invites Pope to Baghdad
The President of Iraq at an unprecedented meeting of leaders of Eastern churches in Baghdad said that during his meeting with the Pope, he invited the leader of Catholics worldwide to visit Iraq. He emphasized that according to Iraq’s constitution, all religions are equal.
Barham Salih, the President of Iraq, announced in Baghdad that in a recent meeting at the Vatican with the Pope, he invited the leader of Catholics worldwide to visit Iraq to hold the upcoming ceremony of Abraham’s Prayer together with Iraq’s Christians.
Barham Salih made these remarks at a meeting of leaders of Eastern churches. This five-day conference continued until Friday (November 30) in Baghdad.
The Vatican Information Office confirmed on Thursday (November 29) that Barham Salih met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday (November 24) and invited him to travel to Iraq.
Salih emphasized in the Pope’s presence that he considers himself a “guardian of Iraq’s constitution” and on this basis will strive toward ethnic and religious diversity in Iraq, tolerance and coexistence of all Iraqi peoples.
The new President of Iraq emphasized that when mentioning Christians in his country, he never uses expressions like “minority,” because all citizens, with all their ethnic, cultural and religious differences, are equal before the law.
Barham Salih, who belongs to the Iraqi Kurds, was elected to the presidency of Iraq in October.
An Important and Symbolic Step
Cardinal Luis Raphael Sako, current head of the Chaldean Catholic Churches, at the meeting of Middle Eastern Christian leaders, summarized the main message of this conference as overcoming prejudice, encouraging dialogue among followers of different faiths, strengthening peace and reconciliation on the basis of equal rights for all faiths and mutual respect for all religious and intellectual inclinations.
For the first time, representatives of Middle Eastern churches are gathering in Baghdad.
Cardinal Sako considered the gathering of representatives of Middle Eastern churches in Baghdad as a sign of solidarity. He said that Christians in Iraq, after 15 years of suffering, persecution and forced migration, now look to the future with hope and optimism.
He expressed hope that families who were forced to leave Iraq will return to the country so that they can freely follow their faith, identity, morality, traditions and language in their homeland.
He wished that the Baghdad conference would be a turning point in “reaching grace and mercy” for Christians and all citizens of the Middle East. He added: “We look forward to a better future for peace, stability and prosperity.”
Source: DW
