Updated
Mar 06, 2021
Pope Francis Holds Historic, Symbolic Meeting With Iraq s Top Shiite Cleric
The pontiff and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence during their meeting in the holy city of Najaf.
PLAINS OF UR, Iraq (AP) Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence 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 Christians 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 defense of the weakest and most persecuted” during some of the most violent times in Iraq’s recent history.
‘HOSTILITY, EXTREMISM, VIOLENCE BETRAYALS OF RELIGION’ 40-minute bridge crosses centuries PLAINS OF UR, Iraq, March 6, (AP): Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence Saturday, urging Muslims in the war-weary Arab nation to embrace Iraq’s lo
Anmar Khalil, Nicole Winfield and Qassim Abdul-Zahra
Associated Press
NAJAF, Iraq After his historic meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday, Iraq’s top Shiite cleric affirmed that religious authorities have a role in protecting Iraq’s Christians and said they should live in peace and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis.
For its part, the Vatican said Francis thanked Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the Shiite people for having “raised his voice in defense of the weakest and most persecuted” during some of the most violent times in Iraq’s recent history.
He said al-Sistani’s message of peace affirmed “the sacredness of human life and the importance of the unity of the Iraqi people.” The Vatican said the historic visit was a chance for Francis to emphasize the need for collaboration and friendship between different religious communities.
The historic meeting in al-Sistani s humble home was months in the making, with every detail painstakingly discussed and negotiated between the ayatollah s office and the Vatican.
Pope Francis holds historic, symbolic meeting with top Iraq Shiite cleric
By Nicole Winfield and Qassim Abdul-zahra
Published
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq
Pope Francis landed in Baghdad on March 5 for a historic visit to rally the country s dwindling Christian population. (Credit: Vatican News via Storyful)
PLAINS OF UR, Iraq (AP) - Pope Francis and Iraq s top Shiite cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence Saturday, urging Muslims in the war-weary Arab nation to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during a 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 Christians 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 defense of the weakest and most persecuted during some of the most violent times in Iraq’s recent history.