Pope Francis: Iraq cannot be imagined without Christians

VATICAN — During his reception of a delegation of representatives of the Churches of Iraq, Pope Francis stated that it is not possible to imagine Iraq without Christians. He said that they contribute powerfully to the special identity of their country, and they must feel that they are full citizens and Iraq is their home.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Iraq, a delegation of representatives of the Christian Churches of Iraq visited Pope Francis on Monday.

During the visit, the Pope delivered a speech in which he welcomed the guests, pointing out that Iraq is the birthplace of the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and the beginning of the history of salvation and the spread of Christianity. Iraq was also the land of exiles, where many Christians were forced into exile by persecution and wars. They transferred the light of the Christian East to the West.

Pope Francis explained that Iraq presented courageous witnesses who were faithful to the Gospel, adding that we should bow before the pain and martyrdom of those who preserved the faith and gave their lives with the hope that the blood of their martyrdom would be a seed of unity among Christians.

The Pope added that there are fraternal relations existing between the Churches of Iraq in the field of pastoral work and serving the poor and that there is an innate communion among Christians in Iraq. Iit is necessary to continue on this path until complete unity is achieved, said the Pope.

He made it clear that it is not possible to imagine Iraq without Christians because, along with other believers, they contribute powerfully to the special identity of their country. It is the place where they have lived alongside other faiths in tolerance and mutual acceptance fr millenia. Christians must feel that Iraq is their homeland, and that they are full citizens, he concluded.