Life triumphs over death as Christians rebuild in Iraq, pope says
Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death.
Living the beatitudes can change the world, pope says in Iraq
Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that when they suffer discrimination, persecution or war, the Eight Beatitudes are addressed to them.
Hostility, violence are ‘betrayals’ of religion, pope says in Iraq
Traveling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters.
Pope, Iraqi Shiite leader affirm importance of dialogue, respect
In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, spent 45 minutes speaking privately.
Pope: Honor martyrs by remaining faithful, working for a better Iraq
Pope Francis visited the cathedral where 48 Christian martyrs died in 2010 when militants detonated explosives and shot people; 48 Catholics — including two priests — died inside and more than 100 people were wounded.
Pope arrives in Iraq, promoting peace, tolerance, equality
To consolidate peace and ensure progress, the government and people of Iraq must never treat anyone as a second-class citizen and must work each day to promote harmony, Pope Francis said.
‘Finally,’ pope says he will be able to make pilgrimage to Iraq
Pope Francis told the people of Iraq he was going to their country as a “penitential pilgrim,” asking God’s forgiveness for years of war, persecution and destruction, and as a “pilgrim of peace,” hoping to remind people that they are all brothers and sisters no matter their ethnic or religious identity.
God offers humanity a love with no equal on earth, pope says at audience
There is no greater love in the world than the love God has for humanity, Pope Francis said. “What kind of God is prepared to die for people? What kind of God loves always and patiently, without demanding to be loved in return?” the pope asked.
COVID-19 cases rising in Iraq as pope set to visit
A week before Pope Francis was scheduled to arrive in Iraq, the Vatican nuncio in Baghdad and several members of the staff tested positive for COVID-19 and began self-isolating.
In interview, pope says he will remain in Rome until death
Pope Francis said he believes he will die in Rome, either in office or retired, and will not be buried in his native Argentina.
