Pope Francis’ Solidarity with Beleaguered Christians in Iraq

Backgrounder on Pope Francis' trip to Iraq in 2021

Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq March 5 – 8, 2021 represented a historic milestone for Christians and the Middle East. He was the first pope ever to visit Iraq, despite that country being part of the “cradle of Christianity,” where followers of Christ have lived for 2,000 years. But the Christian presence in Iraq has dwindled from an estimated high of 1.4 million, according to a 1987 census, to less than 300,000. The Holy Father’s presence was a much needed affirmation of his love for this beleaguered people and a call for interfaith harmony. 

During his stay, Pope Francis held an interreligious meeting in Ur, at the ziggurat, a pyramid reconstructed on the ruins of what, according to scripture, is known as the birthplace of Abraham. Given that the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions all revere Abraham, it was an apt setting for a meeting of leaders of different faiths. In addition, the Holy Father met privately with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, leader of Iraq’s Shiite Muslim population, to build bridges of fraternal dialogue and interreligious understanding. 

Pope Francis’ Solidarity with Beleaguered Christians in Iraq.pdf