Pope Francis calls for forgiveness in heart of former ISIS 'caliphate'

Pope Francis calls for forgiveness in heart of former ISIS 'caliphate'
Yuliya Talmazan
© Provided by NBC News
Amid the ruins of the former ISIS stronghold of Mosul, Pope Francis prayed for people of all religions who suffered at the hands of the Islamic extremists on Sunday, the final day of his historic tour of Iraq.
Surrounded by the grey hollowed-out shells of four churches, the pontiff was greeted by a jubilant crowd in the city which was once the heart of ISIS' so-called "caliphate," and witnessed the worst of the terror group's rule, including beheadings and mass killings.
"How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilization, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow," Francis told the jubilant crowd which turned out to greet him, many waving Iraqi flags.

Related Keywords

Syria , Erbil , Liwa Irbil , Iraq , Italy , Armenia , Armenian , Italian , Iraqi , Qaraqosh Francis , Immaculate Conception , Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi , Pope Francis , Us State Department , , Abdullah Rashid , Abdullah Rashid Image , Syriac Catholic , Syriac Orthodox , Abu Bakr , Prophet Abraham , சிரியா , ஏற்பில் , இராக் , இத்தாலி , ஆர்மீனியா , ஆர்மீனியன் , இத்தாலிய , இராகி , மாசற்ற கருத்தாக்கம் , பக்ர் அல் பாக்தாடி , போப் பிரான்சிஸ் , எங்களுக்கு நிலை துறை , அப்துல்லா ரஷித் , அப்துல்லா ரஷித் படம் , சிரியாக் கத்தோலிக் , சிரியாக் மரபுவழி , பக்ர் ,