Syriac Catholic Patriarch Younan and Pope Francis offer prayers for victims of Baghdede wedding hall tragedy as one year anniversary nears

BAGHDEDE, Iraq / VATICAN — During a recent sermon, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan offered a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Baghdede wedding hall fire, saying, “We offer this divine sacrifice for the souls of the victims of the wedding tragedy, a disaster that struck us deeply and devastated the beloved city of Baghdede [Qaraqosh]. We pray for stability in the city and in its diocese.”

Pope Francis also expressed his profound support for the Iraqi people, particularly for those affected by the Baghdede tragedy, where 134 people lost their lives and many others were injured. During a meeting at the Vatican with Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Mar Benedict Younan Hano, Pope Francis viewed several images of the tragic event and offered his condolences.

The Pope assured that he would hold a special prayer next Thursday for the martyrs, the wounded, and the people of Baghdede, demonstrating his solidarity with the grief-stricken community.