ROME: The visit of Pope Francis to Iraq on March 5-8 will be “an exceptional event” for the nearly half a million Christians living in the country, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.
“We had been waiting for a pope to come to Iraq for decades. We needed it immensely after all these years of darkness,” said Sako, whose family comes from the Iraqi city of Mosul, and whose appointment as cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018 was seen as a sign of the Vatican’s appreciation of the country’s Christians.
“The pope’s visit to Iraq sends a signal of hope, not only to our country, not only to the Christian community, but to the entire Middle East.”
After decades of war and pain, “the pope’s message of peace and brotherhood is of exceptional importance. He comes to tell us that religion does not divide; quite the opposite, it can unite,” said Sako.
“It helps to find common languages in God and in faith. We must put an end to the decline of civil coexistence,” he added. “The pope will come here to tell us that we are all brothers, all children of God.”
Sako said he does not believe that the pope will be in danger in Iraq. “The security measures taken are impressive. Daesh has lost strength,” he added.
Head of Chaldean Church hails pope’s Iraq visit
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Head of Chaldean Church hails pope’s Iraq visit
- The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church said he does not believe that the pope will be in danger in Iraq
- “He comes to tell us that religion does not divide; quite the opposite, it can unite,” Sako said
Jordanian king and Indonesian president to cooperate in stability efforts in Gaza
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state
- King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and to support stability in Syria and Lebanon
LONDON: King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed cooperation in an effort to restore stability in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza.
The meeting on Wednesday at Basman Palace in Amman focused on regional issues, particularly the support for achieving peace based on the two-state solution, and the commitment to protecting Palestinians in Gaza, according to Petra news agency.
King Abdullah praised Indonesia’s political position and highlighted its investments in regional projects as essential to enhancing collaboration.
Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state, achieving lasting peace in the region, and ending the conflict in Gaza.
The talks highlighted the ties between Jordan and Indonesia, spanning over 75 years, and the commitment to enhancing cooperation in politics, economics, defense, business, energy, science, technology, and health.
King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and support the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon in maintaining their security, sovereignty, and stability, Petra added.
Several Jordanian officials attended the talk, including Crown Prince Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, and Escort of Honour Yarub Qudah.
