Irak: Papst Franziskus gibt Impuls für eine bessere Zukunft nzz.ch - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzz.ch Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Najaf: Iraq s Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the top religious authority for most Shiite Muslims, hosted the head of the world s Catholics, Pope Francis, on Saturday in the shrine city of Najaf.
Sistani told Pope Francis in a landmark meeting in the holy city of Najaf Saturday that the country s Christians should live in peace . Sistani affirmed his concern that Christian citizens should live like all Iraqis in peace and security, and with their full constitutional rights, a statement from his office said.
Sistani, 90, almost never holds meetings but made an exception for 84-year-old Francis, who is making the first-ever papal trip to Iraq to encourage dwindling Christians and extend his hand to Shiite Muslims.
Pope Francis in Iraq: Papal plans on Saturday include cities Najaf, Ur gulfnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gulfnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
May there be an end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance! urged Francis in the stirring address, his first after arriving in Iraq.
Francis landed in the afternoon at Baghdad s International Airport, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhemi, as well as groups showcasing Iraq s diverse folklore music and dance.
He then met with President Barham Saleh - who had extended the official invitation to the pontiff in 2019 - as well as other government and religious figures.
At the imposing presidential palace, the head of the world s 1.3 billion Catholics gave a moving address, stressing the deep roots of Christianity in Iraq.