March 7, 2021

Pope Francis concluded his historic visit to Iraq with a Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, marking the first papal trip to Iraq, aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and minority rights.

Erbil, Iraq | The Vatican

Watercolor painting based depiction of Pope Francis concluded his historic visit to Iraq with a Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, marking the first papal trip to Iraq, aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and minority rights. (2021)

Pope Francis Concludes Historic Visit to Iraq

On March 7, 2021, Pope Francis completed his groundbreaking visit to Iraq by celebrating a Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. This visit was notable as the first papal trip to the nation, with the Pope’s itinerary including stops in Baghdad, Najaf, and Mosul, among other key locations.

Significance and Objectives

The visit carried substantial symbolic weight, aiming to bolster interfaith dialogue, foster reconciliation, and highlight the plight of minority groups, particularly the Christian community, which has faced persecution and significant decline in the region over recent decades. Iraq’s Christian population, once estimated at around 1.5 million before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, has dwindled significantly due to war, sectarian violence, and persecution, particularly by ISIS.

Key Events and Encounters

Throughout his trip, Pope Francis emphasized a message of peace and coexistence, meeting with key religious and political figures. On March 6, he notably met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, one of the most influential figures in Shia Islam, advocating for peaceful coexistence and the protection of the Christian minority’s rights.

The Mass in Erbil

The concluding Mass in Erbil was attended by thousands of faithful, including Christians from various parts of Iraq and displaced individuals from ISIS-affected regions. The Mass served as both a spiritual culmination of the trip and a statement of solidarity with persecuted minorities. During the service, Pope Francis delivered a homily emphasizing hope and the rebuilding of what has been destroyed by war and violence.

Broader Impact

Pope Francis’s visit to Iraq was seen as a historic gesture towards healing sectarian divisions, encouraging dialogue among Iraq’s religious communities, and signaling a new chapter in the relationship between the Catholic Church and Islam. This visit reflected the Pope’s commitment to outreach and reconciliation, and it underscored the importance of religious tolerance as a foundation for peace in the Middle East and beyond.

Source: www.bbc.com

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