Pope's prayer for victims of war in Iraq: Peace, justice and serene coexistence Amid the ruins in Mosul, Pope Francis prays for the victims of war in Iraq and in the whole of the Middle East. By Vatican News staff writer On Sunday morning, Pope Francis arrived at the Hosh al-Bieaa centre in Mosul where he prayed, amidst the ruins and along with the people of Iraq, for all the victims of war in the country and throughout the Middle East. Pope Francis speaks at the ruins if the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception Before addressing the small crowd gathered amongst the ruins of the four churches surrounding the meeting place, Pope Francis was greeted by the Archbishop of Mosul, Najeeb Michaeel. He then heard the testimony of a Catholic priest and a Sunni Muslim, victims of the terror that rampaged through the city of Mosul.