By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Pope Francis continued the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Iraq with a visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the northern Iraqi city of Qaraqosh.
In his Address to the faithful present, the Pope expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity of being among the faithful of Qaraqosh. He also acknowledged Patriarch Ignace Youssif Younan of Antioch for Syrian Catholics for his words of welcome.
“As I look out at you, I can see the cultural and religious diversity of the people of Qaraqosh, and this shows something of the beauty that this entire region holds out to the future,” the Pope said.