The Pope's journey in Iraq continues: heal wounds and confirm faith

The third day of the 33rd apostolic journey of Francis to the Land of Abraham has begun: the first stop is Erbil, the largest city in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, then Mosul where the prayer for the victims of the war will take place and Qaraqosh, for embrace the Christian community. At the end of this journey through places tormented by the fury of the self-styled Islamic State, the return to Erbil for Mass at the "Franso Hariri" stadium

Cecilia Seppia - Vatican City Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh are the other three Iraqi cities that the Pope will visit on this third day of travel to the Gulf country. Different and complex realities and like the rest of Iraq, the scene of massacres and violence for years, but also united by the desire for rebirth. And if man can do nothing in the face of adversity, Francis returns to reaffirm, in the various messages expected for today, that God instead has the power to overcome evils, diseases, to restore physical temples and those of our hearts. Only from the wounds of Christ can that balm come to heal humanity and heal painful memories, inspiring a future of peace and fraternity, but the Pontiff will also affirm from the daily commitment of the Church, which continues to be alive and present in Iraq. in so many ways.

The stage of Erbil At Erbil airport where the Pope arrived in Italy just before 6.20am, 8.20am local time, the first stop of this day. To welcome him at the foot of the flight ladder, the president of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, together with other civil and religious authorities including Monsignor Bashar Matti Warda, Archbishop of Erbil dei Chadei, and Monsignor Nizar Semaan, Archbishop of Hadiab - Erbil dei Siri. A small floral tribute and then the long journey on the red carpet with short stops for greetings among those present, representatives of different religions. Then Francesco and the President entered a private room of the airport, accompanied by songs and greeted by those present with olive branches and colored flags, for a short private meeting.

This part of Iraq, the only part of the Kurdish region to have its own autonomy, is officially recognized with the introduction of the new Constitution, adopted in 2005. The Kurdish region, divided between Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria, was in fact dismembered at the end of the First World War with the Treaty of Sevres. Subsequently, the definition of a territory to be assigned to the entire Kurdish people was never reached and, especially in Turkey, this has generated movements for independence that often resulted in bloody internal conflicts. Here in Erbil, considered one of the oldest cities in the world, destined to become, due to its favorable position and archaeological riches, the Dubai of Iraq, and instead, in recent years harassed by the scourge of emigration, with over 540 thousand refugees Syrians and Iraqi displaced people massed in refugee camps, the Pope will return in the afternoon, at 4 pm, to celebrate Mass in the “Franso Hariri” stadium. A moment awaited with great joy and ferment by the local Catholics, who are active in many charitable organizations and together with the local Churches, assisting the people of this country with loving care in the work of reconstruction and social rebirth.

Francis' second stop will be Mosul, also known as the "City of the prophets" and "Mother of the two springs", with its Islamic, Christian, Ottoman buildings, and an extraordinary mix of ethnic groups and religions, but today reduced to a heap of rubble that hurt the heart. In June 2014 it was in fact occupied by the troops of the self-styled Islamic State and subjected to a systematic devastation that did not spare the churches, mausoleums, ancient works and the very rare manuscripts preserved in libraries. the mosque of Mūr ad-dīn, a symbolic place of the Caliphate, which, however, a few days later was reconquered by the Iraqi army together with a part of the medieval area of ​​the city. In July 2017, after nine months of fighting, Mosul was finally liberated and now, thanks also to international cooperation, work is being done on the reconstruction of the city, to allow the return of those in desperation and hunger who had to leave their homes homes. Few words and many silences will mark Hosh al-Bieaa, the Pope's prayer in suffrage for all war victims. After listening to the testimony of a Sunni and a local parish priest, the Pontiff will inaugurate a commemorative plaque and then release a white dove into the sky and let the wind of peace blow in this place and the voices of pain and anguish, let those of hope and consolation take over.

The great joy of the community of Qaraqosh for the arrival of the Pope Another touching and awaited moment will be that of Qaraqosh, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, during which the Pontiff will visit and meet the Christian community. Like the whole city, where Christians make up 90 percent of the population, this sacred place in August 2014 was vandalized, desecrated and then set on fire by the militias of the self-styled Islamic State and its reconstruction began just last year . The help of the Church and the international community has been fundamental to rebuilding and has now allowed about 46% of those who lived in the town, before the IS invasion, to return and start a new life. Francis will emphasize this several times, praising the great commitment of the Iraqi Church which, even in the midst of poverty and difficulties, generously offered concrete help and solidarity to the poor and suffering, which is why the Successor of Peter felt the need to become a pilgrim. in this land, so as to confirm Christians in the faith. The Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Ignace Youssif III Younan, welcomed the Pope, together with the archbishop, the parish priest and some children who will offer him flowers. Here too the Pope will listen to testimonies of the life of a lay woman and a priest and then recite the Angelus prayer with the whole community and deliver a short catechesis. To the Christians and other souls of Qaraqosh, the Pope will therefore bring his encouragement and the closeness of the whole Church, so that even in the midst of the signs of devastation and the destructive power of violence, hatred and war, the light of hope may shine. and not only the buildings, but the bonds and roots that unite communities and families, young and old, be restored.

VATICAN NEWS ~ ITALY ~ HOLY SEE PRESS : Translated to English 03/07/2021 https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2021-03/prosegue-il-cammino-del-papa-nella-terra-di-abramo.html