Francis to Qaraqosh: have the ability to forgive and the courage to fight

The Christians of the martyr city of the Plain of Nineveh embrace the Pope who encourages the people to rebuild, not to give up and never lose hope. Francis, who from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception recites the Angelus, pronounces words of comfort: even in the face of devastation with the eyes of faith one sees the triumph of life over death.

Francesca Sabatinelli - Vatican City Terrorism and death never have the last word. Pope Francis launches the message of redemption and hope from Qaraqosh, called Baghdede. It was here, in the Nineveh Plain, a few kilometers from Mosul, that the largest Christian community in the country once lived, before the fury of the Islamic State, which occupied it on the night of 7 August 2014, destroying houses and churches, forcing 120,000 Christians to flee and many of them to a life of displaced persons in Iraqi Kurdistan. militiamen and who in part still shows the evidence of IS violence, Francis, also pronouncing the Angelus, reiterates the "triumph of life over death":

This meeting of ours shows that terrorism and death never have the last word. The last word belongs to God and his son who conquers sin and death. Even in the midst of the ravages of terrorism and war, we can see, with the eyes of faith, the triumph of life over death.

It is time to rebuild, the Church is close to Christians Francis' gaze passes from the people of this city, who awaited him with so much hope, who witnessed "cultural and religious diversity" and a beauty that shines "for variety and differences", to the signs of destruction, " of violence, hatred and war ”. So much has been destroyed and so much must be rebuilt, warns the Pope, who urges the people to follow the example of those who previously in that place, "worshiped and praised God", who persevered "with firm hope" on the journey earthly, leaving a great spiritual heritage: Embrace this legacy! This legacy is your strength! Now is the time to rebuild and start over, entrusting oneself to the grace of God, who guides the fate of every man and of all peoples. You are not alone! The whole Church is close to you, with prayer and concrete charity. And in this region many have opened their doors to you in times of need.

Keep dreaming, never lose faith and hope This is the time to restore the buildings and the bonds that unite everyone, urges the Pope, since the union of the elderly and young people preserves the future, through the heritage of the land, culture and tradition, but above all of faith:

I encourage you not to forget who you are and where you come from! To guard the bonds that hold you together, to guard your roots! Certainly there are times when faith can falter, when it seems that God does not see and does not act. This was true for you in the darkest days of the war, and it is also true in these days of global health crisis and great insecurity. In these moments, remember that Jesus is at your side. Don't stop dreaming! Don't give up, don't lose hope. No to terrorism and the exploitation of religion

Iraq is the land of many men and women, "saints next door", who will be able to accompany you towards a better future. The Pope takes up the words of Doha Sabah Abdallah, Christian witness to the ferocity of Is, mother of one of the many, too many, little martyrs of the city, to reiterate that forgiveness is necessary "by those who have survived the terrorist attacks" :

Forgiveness: this is a key word. Forgiveness is necessary to remain in love, to remain Christian. The road to full recovery may still be long, but I ask you please do not be discouraged. It takes the ability to forgive and, at the same time, the courage to fight. I know this is very difficult. But we believe that God can bring peace to this land. We trust in him and, together with all people of good will, we say "no" to terrorism and the exploitation of religion.

VATICAN NEWS ~ ITALY ~ HOLY SEE PRESS (Translated to English 03/07/2021 Per https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2021-03/papa-francesco-iraq-cristiani-qaraqosh-angelus.html