2021 visit by Pope Francis to Iraq

Last updated
Apostolic Journey to Iraq
Pope Francis Apostolic Journey to Iraq - Hall of the Presidential Palace in Baghdad - 5 March 2021 04.jpg
Pope Francis giving a speech in the hall of the Presidential Palace, Baghdad
Date5–8 March 2021
Location Ur
Baghdad
Najaf
Qaraqosh
Erbil
Mosul
Website Vatican website

Pope Francis's visit to Iraq took place between 5 March and 8 March 2021. The visit was accorded on following an invitation of the Government of Iraq and the Chaldean Catholic Church. The visit was remembered as an attempt to mend bridges between the different faiths in Iraq. During this first ever journey to Iraq by a Pontifex, Pope Francis visited the cities of Ur, Baghdad, Najaf, Qaraqosh, Erbil and Mosul. [1]

Contents

Previous attempts

Pope John Paul II wanted to visit Ur, the birthplace of Abraham according to the biblical tradition within a journey through the Middle East including Israel, Jordan and Palestine but the visit was cancelled due to differences between the Government of Saddam Hussein and representatives of the Holy See [2] which caused the Iraqi to prohibit the visit.

Preparation

The visit was accorded on following an invitation of the Government of Iraq and the Chaldean Catholic Church. [3]

The preparations for the visit were nearing completion early in 2020, when he met the President of Iraq, Barham Salih, at an audience in the Vatican on 25 January of that year. [4] On the 7 December 2020, the Holy See Press Director Matteo Bruni released a statement confirming that Pope Francis would make an apostolic visit after accepting the invitation of the Republic of Iraq and the Chaldean Catholic Church to visit the Middle Eastern country of Iraq between 5–8 March 2021. It was his first apostolic visit since November 2019 as journeys were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020. [2] Pope Francis mentioned he would arrive as a penitent pilgrim and pray for forgiveness after a long period of interreligious conflicts during the civil war in Iraq. [5] Despite the fact that the Ambassador of the Vatican, Archbishop Misko Leskovar contracted COVID-19 and remained in self-isolation, the Pope wanted to travel to Iraq. [5] During the visit, several security measures were taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic as well as threats of terrorist attacks. [5] [6] A 10,000 security personnel contingent was announced to safeguard the Pope [7] [8] while the pope and the journalists accompanying him were provided with the BionTech Pfizer vaccine. [9] The visit to Ali Al-Sistani in Najaf was prepared with great care to details such as what beverages would be taken or on for how many meters Pope Francis would walk to Al Sistani home. [10] Before arrival, Francis, 20 members of his entourage, and more than 70 journalists who accompanied them were vaccinated against COVID-19. [11]

5 March 2021

Upon his arrival at the Baghdad International Airport, the pope was welcomed by the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi. [12] [1] [13] Two children in traditional dresses presented flowers and a military band accompanied the prime minister. [13] Following he entered Baghdad, where his arrival was announced on billboards and the Flags of Iraq and the Vatican flying jointly side by side. [8] When he met the Iraqi president Barham Salih at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad [14] who gave him a welcome gift of a replica from a work of Mohammed Ghani Hikmat depicting the Passion of Jesus before his crucifixion. [15] He then addressed the Iraqi population through a televised speech acknowledging the importance of Iraq as a cradle of civilizations. [5] [16]

6 March 2021

On the 6 March 2021 he visited Najaf, where he met the Shia cleric and Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. [17] The meeting was televised by the Iraqi state TV [1] and took place in the home of Al Sistani nearby the Imam Ali Shrine. [18] They released a joint statement against religious extremism. On the same day he visited Ur, which according to the Bible is the birthplace of Abraham, whom Jews, Muslims and Christians consider is their religious father. [17] In the evening he returned to Baghdad where he held a mass in the Church of St.Joseph. [19] It was the first time, that Pope Francis delivered a liturgy according to the eastern rite. [19]

7 March 2021

Pope Francis in Mosul on the 7 March 2021 Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Iraq -Hosh al-Bieaa centre -Mosul - 7 March 2021 04.jpg
Pope Francis in Mosul on the 7 March 2021

On the 7 March 2021 he visited the demolished Syriac Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. [20] [17] At Mosul's Church Square, [21] which is surrounded by churches of four different christian faiths, the Syrian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, the Chaldean and Armenian Orthodox, [22] he held a mass and prayed for the fraternity between the different religions in Iraq. [22] The location of the gathering was decorated by two symbolic christian crosses. One was crafted with the wood from the ruined churches in Bakhdida/Qaraqosh. [21] The other one was made by Omar Qais, an Iraqi artist from Mosul. [21] The Pope brought back to Iraq a 500-year old Aramean prayer book from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh, which was brought to Italy after ISIL captured the city. The book was restored under the auspices of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in Italy. [23] The same day, he also visited the Kurdistan Region, where he arrived at the Erbil International Airport and received by the politicians Nechirvan Barzani, Masoud Barzani, Masrour Barzani and Qubad Talabani. [24] He acknowledged the safeguarding role the KRG played for the Christians during the Iraqi Civil War against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). [24] In Erbil, he gave a mass in front of 10,000 participants in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. [25] The attendants wore protective masks against Covid-19, and the stadium was not full as the Government adjusted the number of participants ahead of the mass. [26]

8 March 2021

On 8 March 2021, he left Iraq from Baghdad after he met with Iraqi President Barham Salih during a farewell ceremony. [27]

Influence

In Iraq, the 6 March has been declared as a "Day of Tolerance and Coexistence" by the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, commemorating the encounter between the Shia cleric Ali Al-Sistani and Pope Francis [28] Upon the depart of Pope Francis, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako announced the pope donated the sum of $350,000 to the Iraqi people of which $250,000 were to be distributed by the Chaldean Church of Baghdad, $50,000 by the Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul and the remainder by the Syrian Catholic Church which includes also Qaraqosh. [29] Besides the Cardinal has delivered several propositions concerning the enhancement of education, intercultural tolerance and the protection of the holy sites as described in the Iraqi Penal Code in April 2021. [30]

Controversy

To remember his visit in Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) revealed a set of six stamps which included one depicting the head of Pope Francis surrounded by a map which resembled a Greater Kurdistan which includes areas in Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. [31] [32] This led to criticism by Turkey who demanded explications for this "grave mistake" [33] and prosecuted the Kurdish MP of the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) Berdan Öztürk for terrorist propaganda for defending the issuing of the commemorative stamp. [34] Iran also criticized the stamp, mentioning that the map depicted is contrary to international law. [35] KRG authorities responding to the criticism explained that the stamps did not yet count with the authorization to be printed. [36] [37]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi Kurdistan</span> Kurdish-inhabited region in northern Iraq

Iraqi Kurdistan or Southern Kurdistan refers to the Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq. It is considered one of the four parts of "Kurdistan" in West Asia, which also includes parts of southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, and northwestern Iran. Much of the geographical and cultural region of Iraqi Kurdistan is part of the Kurdistan Region (KRI), an autonomous region recognized by the Constitution of Iraq. As with the rest of Kurdistan, and unlike most of the rest of Iraq, the region is inland and mountainous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Kurdistan Region</span> Ruling body of the Kurdistan Region

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is the official executive body of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankawa</span> Town in Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Ankawa is a suburb of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) northwest of downtown Erbil. The suburb is predominantly populated by Assyrians, most of whom adhere to the Chaldean Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qaraqosh</span> Town in Nineveh, Iraq

Qaraqosh, is an Assyrian city in the Nineveh Governorate, of Iraq located about 32 kilometres (20 mi) southeast of the city of Mosul and 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of Erbil amid agricultural lands, close to the ruins of the ancient Assyrian cities Kalhu and Nineveh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assyrians in Iraq</span> Ethnic group

Iraqi Assyrians are an ethnic and linguistic minority group, indigenous to Upper Mesopotamia. Assyrians in Iraq are those Assyrians still residing in the country of Iraq, and those in the Assyrian diaspora who are of Iraqi-Assyrian heritage. They share a common history and ethnic identity, rooted in shared linguistic, cultural and religious traditions, with Assyrians in Iran, Assyrians in Turkey and Assyrians in Syria, as well as with the Assyrian diaspora. Assyrian diaspora in Detroit, Areas with large expat populations include Chicago and Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region</span> Autonomous entity in the Republic of Iraq

Kurdistan Region is an autonomous administrative entity within the Republic of Iraq. It comprises four Kurdish-majority divisions of Arab-majority Iraq: the Erbil Governorate, the Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the Duhok Governorate, and Halabja Governorate. The KRI is bordered by Iran to the east, by Turkey to the north, and by Syria to the west. It does not govern all of Iraqi Kurdistan, and lays claim to the disputed territories of northern Iraq; these territories have a predominantly non-Arab population and were subject to the Ba'athist Arabization campaigns throughout the late 20th century. Though the KRI's autonomy was realized in 1992, one year after Iraq's defeat in the Gulf War, these northern territories remain contested between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Government of Iraq to the present day. In light of the dispute, the KRI's constitution declares the city of Kirkuk as the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. However, the KRI does not control Kirkuk, and the Kurdistan Region Parliament is based in Erbil. In 2014, when the Syria-based Islamic State began their Northern Iraq offensive and invaded the country, the Iraqi Armed Forces retreated from most of the disputed territories. The KRI's Peshmerga then entered and took control of them for the duration of the War in Iraq (2013–2017). In October 2017, following the defeat of the Islamic State, the Iraqi Armed Forces attacked the Peshmerga and reasserted control over the disputed territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Church in Iraq</span>

Catholics in Iraq follow several different rites, but in 2022, most (82%) are members of the Chaldean Catholic Church; about 17% belong to the Syriac Catholic Church, and the remainder are primarily Armenian, Greek and Latin-rite Catholics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity in Iraq</span> History of the Christian populace of Iraq

The Christians of Iraq are considered to be one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaldean Catholics</span> Adherents of the Chaldean Catholic Church

Chaldean Catholics, also known as Chaldeans, Chaldo-Assyrians or Assyro-Chaldeans, are ethnic Assyrian adherents of the Chaldean Catholic Church, which originates from the historic Church of the East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi–Kurdish conflict</span> Series of wars and rebellions by ethnic Kurds against successive Iraqi administrations

The Iraqi–Kurdish conflict consists of a series of wars, rebellions and disputes by the Kurds against the central authority of Iraq starting in the 20th century shortly after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Some put the marking point of the conflict beginning to the attempt by Mahmud Barzanji to establish an independent Kingdom of Kurdistan, while others relate to the conflict as only the post-1961 insurrection by the Barzanis. Since the US-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent recognition of the Kurdistan Region the number and scope of armed clashes between the central government of Iraq and the Kurds have significantly decreased. In spite of that, however, there are still outstanding issues that continue to cause strife such as the disputed territories of northern Iraq and rights to oil and gas, leading to occasional armed clashes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Raphaël I Sako</span> Head of the Chaldean Catholic Church since 2013

Louis Raphaël I Sako is a Chaldean Catholic prelate who has served as Patriarch of Baghdad since 1 February 2013. Pope Francis made him a cardinal on 28 June 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Kurdistan Region</span> Largely independent foreign policy of the autonomous region

Relations of Kurdistan Region of Iraq with foreign states and organizations are conducted by the Kurdistan Region. Political stability and a rapidly developing economy have given the KRG the opportunity to pursue a foreign policy independent from the central government's. The KRG's primary body for directing its foreign affairs is the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR). The DFR's foremost objectives are to raise the global profile of the Kurdistan Region, improve the Region's international ties with various governments and international organizations, and present emerging business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region to regional and international actors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falah Mustafa Bakir</span> Iraqi Kurdish politician

Falah Mustafa Bakir is a Kurdish politician from Kurdistan Region, Iraq serving as Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to President Nechirvan Barzani with a ministerial rank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum</span> Referendum for Kurdish Independence

An independence referendum for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq was held on 25 September 2017, with preliminary results showing approximately 92.73 percent of votes cast in favour of independence. Despite reporting that the independence referendum would be non-binding, the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) characterised it as binding, although they claimed that an affirmative result would trigger the start of state building and negotiations with Iraq rather than an immediate declaration of independence of Kurdistan. The referendum's legality was rejected by the federal government of Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech Republic–Kurdistan Region relations</span> Bilateral relations

Czech Republic–Kurdistan Region relations are bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and the Kurdistan Region. The Czech Republic is represented in the Kurdistan Region through a consulate general in Erbil since 2006, while the Kurdistan region has no representation in the Czech Republic. Relations between the two are characterized by high level talks and cooperation against ISIS. Kurdish President Massoud Barzani visited the Czech Republic in 2015, meeting President Miloš Zeman and other senior government officials. In November 2015, Czech President Miloš Zeman said that he believes the Kurdistan Region will soon become independent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italy–Kurdistan Region relations</span> Bilateral relations

Italy–Kurdistan Region relations are bilateral relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region. Italy has a consulate general in Erbil, while Kurdistan Region has a representation in Rome. Relations are described as "strong" and Italy has a military presence in Kurdistan Region. About 800 Italian soldiers were present in Kurdistan in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region–Poland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kurdistan Region–Poland relations are bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and Poland. Kurdistan Region is represented in Poland through a representation in Warsaw since 2004, while Poland has a consulate general in Erbil since 2012. In 2005, Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld, Minister of National Defense Jerzy Szmajdziński and Minister of Culture Waldemar Dąbrowski met Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil and stated their support for the reconstruction of Iraq, including Kurdistan Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Kurdistan Region relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Kurdistan Region relations are bilateral relations between Holy See and Kurdistan Region. The Holy See has no representation in Kurdistan Region and the latter has no representation in the Holy See.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict</span> Armed disputes over Kurdish autonomy and sovereignty

The 2017 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict, also known as the Kirkuk crisis, was a conflict in which the Iraqi government retook disputed territories in Iraq which had been held by the Peshmerga since ISIL's Northern Iraq offensive in 2014. The conflict began on 15 October 2017 after tensions arising from the Kurdistan Region independence referendum of 25 September. The tension between the federal Iraqi government and Kurdistan Region escalated into conflict when the Peshmerga ignored repeated warnings to return Kirkuk to Iraqi government forces. Part of the conflict was the Battle of Kirkuk, when Iraqi forces routed Peshmerga forces from the city in a surprise dawn-offensive, marking the beginning of clashes.

Najeeb Moussa Michaeel O.P. or Najib Mikhael Moussa, born Najeeb Moussa Michaeel Yonan al Sanati al Atrash on September 9, 1955, in Mosul, Iraq, is an Iraqi Chaldean Catholic prelate. He was elected Chaldean archbishop of Mosul. Pope Francis granted him the ecclesiastica communio on December 22, 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Westcott, Ben; Kottasová, Ivana (6 March 2021). "Pope Francis condemns extremism as 'betrayal of religion'". CNN . Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  2. 1 2 Pullella, Philip (2020-12-07). "Pope Francis to make risky trip to Iraq in early March". Reuters . Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  3. ↑ Rubin, Trudy (12 March 2021). "The significance of Pope Francis meeting Ayatollah Sistani". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Pope Francis to visit Iraq, first Apostolic Journey in 15 months". Vatican News. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Castelfranco, Sabina (5 March 2021). "Pope Francis Lands in Baghdad, Marking First-ever Papal Visit to Iraq". Voice of America . Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  6. ↑ Qiblawi, Tamara; Gallaghar, Delia; Najm, Aqeel (5 March 2021). "Pope Francis touches down in Baghdad, hoping to boost an ancient Christian church and a war-torn country". CNN . Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  7. ↑ Pulella, Philip (3 March 2021). "Pope says he must go to Iraq because people cannot be let down". Swissinfo . Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  8. 1 2 Lowen, Mark (2021-03-05). "Pope Francis on Iraq visit calls for end to violence and extremism". BBC News . Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  9. ↑ Pope Francis arrives in Iraq amid security fears, Deutsche Welle, 5 March 2021, retrieved 2021-10-28
  10. ↑ Abdul-Zahra, Qasim; Kullab, Samya (3 March 2021). "Intense preparations before pontiff meets Iraqi ayatollah". The Associated Press . Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  11. ↑ Winfield, Nicole (2 Mar 2021). "Vatican defends pope's Iraq trip amid virus as 'act of love'". The Associated Press . Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  12. ↑ "Al-Kadhimi receives the Pope at Baghdad airport". Iraqi News Agency . Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  13. 1 2 Bentson, Clark (5 March 2021). "Pope Francis brings message of unity and tolerance to Iraq". ABC News . Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  14. ↑ "Pope welcomed in Iraq as 'pilgrim of peace' with message of hope to Christians |". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  15. ↑ Pope Francis arrives in Iraq amid security fears | DW | 05.03.2021, Deutsche Welle, 5 March 2021, retrieved 2021-10-28
  16. ↑ "Video message of the Holy Father on the occasion of his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Iraq [5-8 March 2021]". Vatican.va. Archived from the original on 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  17. 1 2 3 "Pope calls on Christians of Qaraqosh, city ravaged by IS fighters, to 'forgive'". France 24 . 2021-03-07. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  18. ↑ "Pope Francis meets Iraq's top Shiite cleric al-Sistani". Deutsche Welle. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  19. 1 2 "Pope Francis holds first ever papal Mass in Baghdad". Deutsche Welle . 2021-06-03. Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  20. ↑ "Pope Francis to visit Iraq church damaged by IS militants". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  21. 1 2 3 Aldroubi, Mina (2021-03-07). "Mosul's Church Square decorated with two symbolic crosses to welcome Pope Francis". The National . Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  22. 1 2 Winfield, Nicole; Kullab, Samya. "Amid Mosul church ruins, Pope laments 'barbarous blow' of extremism in Iraq". Times of Israel . Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  23. ↑ Mahmoud, Sinan (2021-03-04). "Pope Francis to return rare 500-year-old 'refugee' Christian prayer book to Iraq". The National . Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  24. 1 2 Hawramy, Fazel (7 March 2021). "Pope Francis thanks President Barzani for protecting Christians during ISIS war". Rudaw . Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  25. ↑ Yeranian, Edward (7 March 2021). "Pope Francis Celebrates Mass Before 10,000 in Iraqi Kurdish Capital, Irbil". Voice of America . Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "In Erbil, thousands attend largest mass of Pope's historic trip to Iraq". France 24 . 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  27. ↑ "Pope Francis Leaves Iraq After 4-Day Visit | Voice of America - English". Voice of America . 8 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "Iraq declares 6 March "National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence" - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  29. ↑ "ASIA/IRAQ - Chaldean Patriarch Sako reveals: the Pope has donated 350 thousand dollars for the poor Iraqis - Agenzia Fides". Agenzia Fides . 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  30. ↑ Rocchi, Daniele (6 April 2021). "Pope in Iraq. Card. Sako: "The time has come for religion-State separation". Four concrete proposals". Agensir. Archived from the original on 2021-04-07.
  31. ↑ Jangiz, Khazan (10 March 2021). "Turkey slams KRG over stamps commemorating pope visit". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  32. ↑ "Turkey slams Iraqi Kurdistan over stamp marking Pope's visit". www.duvarenglish.com. 2021-10-03. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  33. ↑ "From Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  34. ↑ "HDP'li Berdan Öztürk hakkında 'Kürdistan' soruşturması". www.gazeteduvar.com (in Turkish). 2021-03-14. Archived from the original on 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  35. ↑ "Iran FM spox: Publication of stamps by KRG against international law, principles". IRNA English. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  36. ↑ Zaman, Amberin (10 March 2021). "Kurdish stamp commemorating pope's visit to Erbil fans Turkish conspiracy fears". Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East. Archived from the original on 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  37. ↑ "Iraq: KRG tries to clarify stamp slammed by Turkey". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.