Cleanse your hearts of anger, pope says at Mass in Irbil
Pope Francis greets the crowd before celebrating Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Irbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
By Cindy Wooden • Catholic News Service • Posted March 7, 2021
IRBIL, Iraq (CNS) Having witnessed or even experienced persecution for their faith, the Christians of Iraq must be careful not to harbor thoughts of revenge, Pope Francis told them.
After a full morning paying tribute to the victims of Islamic State violence, Pope Francis reached the last major event of his trip to Iraq: Mass March 7 with some 10,000 people at Irbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium. Many ignored the social distancing measures put in place, and few wore the masks they were required to have because of the COVID-19 pandemic.