LONDON
\nWhile meeting with Iraqi Christian leaders on Monday, Pope Francis encouraged Iraqi Christian communities to promote dialogue and build fraternity to prevent extremism and fundamentalism.
\nHe held an audience with representatives from the Christian Churches in Iraq visiting Rome, celebrating the first anniversary of his apostolic journey to the country in March 2021.
\nMembers of the Iraqi delegation included Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Nicodemus Daoud of Mosul and East Assyrian Bishop Abris Youkhanna of Kirkuk and Diana, who thanked the pope for his visit last year.
\nPope Francis told his audience that Iraq is the cradle of civilization and Christianity, adding: \u201cI bow before the suffering and martyrdom of those who have preserved the faith, even at the cost of their lives.\u201d
\nHe said: \u201cIraq without Christians would no longer be Iraq, because Christians, along with other believers, contribute strongly to the country\u2019s specific identity as a place where co-existence, tolerance and mutual acceptance have flourished ever since the first centuries.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cNo stone should be left unturned in ensuring that Christians continue to feel that Iraq is their home, and that they are citizens in their own right.\u201d
\nPope Francis said Christians have a duty to ensure dialogue with other faiths and community groups, as that is \u201cthe best antidote to extremism, which is a danger for the followers of any religion and a grave threat to peace.\u201d
\nHe added that fundamentalism can be eradicated only by addressing its root causes, which include \u201cmaterial, cultural and educational poverty, and situations of injustice and vulnerability.\u201d
\nDaoud said the pope\u2019s visit in March 2021 had a positive impact on interreligious relations, with Muslims better understanding and appreciating their Christian compatriots.
\nYoukhanna said the visit inspired a \u201cnew impulse and light\u201d to religious dialogue in Iraq, adding: \u201cDialogue is made up of human relationships that constantly reminds us that we are all children of God, and therefore brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LONDON While meeting with Iraqi Christian leaders on Monday, Pope Francis encouraged Iraqi Christian communities to promote dialogue and build fraternity to prevent extremism and fundamentalism. He held an audience with representatives from the Christian Churches in Iraq visiting Rome, celebrating the first anniversary of his apostolic journey to the country in March 2021. Members […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-247375","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n