VATICAN CITY (RNS) On his last full day in Iraq, Pope Francis told struggling Christians in the war-weary country to hold on to their roots and to forgive their oppressors, the better to put their energy toward restoring their hearts and homes destroyed by Islamic State occupation.
“Now is the time to rebuild and to start afresh, relying on the grace of God, who guides the destinies of all individuals and peoples,” the pope said in Qaraqosh, a Christian town in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, on Sunday (March 7).
“You are not alone! The entire church is close to you, with prayers and concrete charity. And in this region, so many people opened their doors to you in time of need,” Francis said.
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