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06 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
Pope Francis and Iraq s top Shiite cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence on Saturday, urging Muslims in the war-weary Arab nation to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during an historic meeting in the holy city of Najaf.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani said religious authorities have a role in protecting Iraq’s Christians, and that they should live in peace and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis. The Vatican said Francis thanked Al-Sistani for having raised his voice in defence of the weakest and most persecuted” during some of the most violent times in Iraq’s recent history.
Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric deliver message of coexistence
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NICOLE WINFIELD and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press
March 6, 2021
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1of33Women wait outside the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph, in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, March 6, 2021, where Pope Francis, depicted on a giant poster at their back, is concelebrating a mass. Earlier today Francis met privately with the country s revered Shiite leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.Andrew Medichini/APShow MoreShow Less
2of33Pope Francis, right, meets with Iraq s leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, Saturday, March 6, 2021. The closed-door meeting was expected to touch on issues plaguing Iraq s Christian minority. Al-Sistani is a deeply revered figure in Shiite-majority Iraq and and his opinions on religious matters are sought by Shiites worldwide.Vatican Media/APShow MoreShow Less
Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric have delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence, urging Muslims to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during an historic meeting.