Pope Francis kicks off his historic visit to Iraq | LIVE

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Barzani on the Pope’s visit: It proved that Kurdistan is a center for peaceful coexistence

Political| 02:57 - 10/03/2021

 

 

 

 

BAGHDAD - Mawazine News
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, said on Wednesday that the visit of the Pope of the Vatican to Kurdistan proved that the region is an important center for coexistence in the region.
Barzani's media office stated in a statement that Mawazine News received a copy of, that "The Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Region held its regular session headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and at the beginning of the meeting, Barzani offered his sincere congratulations to the Kurds on the occasion of the National Dress Day in Kurdistan, which he celebrates. Citizens wear their national garments on this day every year. "
The statement added, "The Prime Minister touched on the visit of His Holiness, describing it as important and historic, and said: This visit confirmed that the Kurdistan region is an important center for peaceful coexistence in the region."
According to the statement, Barzani thanked the organizers of the visit and the relevant institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government, especially the security forces, for the success of the visit in an atmosphere full of security and peace.
The statement pointed out that "the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Pishtuan Sadiq and the official of the Office of Foreign Relations Sven Dzii presented a report in which they reviewed the results of the Pope's visit to the Kurdistan region and the importance it constitutes."
He pointed out, "In another aspect of the meeting, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Aram Muhammad Qadir presented a draft of the granting of study leave in the Kurdistan region, and after discussions and exchanging views on proposals and amendments, the project was approved."

[yota691]

The Pope tweets: This is the challenge facing Iraq

•  Time: 03/10/2021 15:43:26
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•  Read: 559 times

  

 

Let's continue our prayers for Iraq and the Middle East. In Iraq, despite the turmoil of destruction and weapons, palm trees, the symbol of the homeland, continued to grow and bear fruit. The same is true for brotherhood: it does not make noise, but it does bear fruit and make us grow.
The response to war is not another war, and the response to weapons is not other weapons. The answer is brotherhood. This is the challenge facing Iraq, but not only: it is the challenge for many conflict areas and, therefore, for the world at large.
 

[yota691]

From the Vatican .. Pope Francis reveals the challenge facing Iraq

The Pope in Iraq

2021-03-10 | 08:40

 

 

2,091 Views

 

Today, Wednesday, Pope Francis revealed the challenge facing Iraq, while calling for the continuation of prayer for Iraq.

"The response to war is not another war, and the response to weapons is not other weapons. The answer is brotherhood. This is the challenge facing Iraq, but not only: it is the challenge for many conflict areas, and therefore, for the world," the Pope said in a tweet posted on Alsumaria News. The whole. "

 

 

He added in another tweet, "Let us continue our prayers for Iraq and the Middle East. In Iraq, despite the turmoil of destruction and weapons, palm trees, the symbol of the homeland, continued to grow and bear fruit. And so is the matter for brotherhood: They do not make noise, but they bear fruit." And make us grow. "

[yota691]

In Iraq, Pope spreads message of peace, religious tolerance and humanity’s resilience

 

Vatican Media

Pope Francis (centre) releases a dove representing peace at the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mosul, Iraq.

    

7 March 2021

Culture and Education

Pope Francis’ historic visit to northern Iraq to hold prayers at an ancient church destroyed by ISIL “sends a clear message to the world that harmony and cohesion between the followers of all religions is the only way for the advancement and progress of humanity,” the top UN culture official has said.

After arriving in Iraq on Friday, Pope Francis travelled over the weekend to Mosul and holy sites within the country’s Christian heartland. On Sunday, according to media reports, the pontiff called for peace and prayed among ruined churches for the victims of the conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which left thousands of civilians dead.

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth of the United Arab Emirates, welcomed the historic papal visit to Al Tahera Church, one of the sites of the UNESCO-led Revive the Spirit of Mosul initiative.

Today @Pontifex is in #mossoul and sends the world a message of hope, healing and trust in our shared humanity. He visits Al Tahira restored by @UNESCO w/ @mckduae @NouraAlKaabi #revivethespiritofmosul #PopeFrancisInIraq @UNESCOIraq pic.twitter.com/dto5pJOUjF

— Audrey Azoulay (@AAzoulay) March 7, 2021

Iconic symbol at the crossroads of cultures

Al-Tahera, built in 1859 and opened in 1862, is an iconic symbol woven into the history of Mosul. The Church is in the heart of the old city, formerly defined by the Ottoman city walls on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite ancient Nineveh. Its multiple altars, dining room and two sacristy rooms set it aside from other churches of the same period.

This past December, when the restoration project got under way in earnest, UNESCO Representative to Iraq, Paolo Fontani, said that “the rehabilitation of this church is important not only because of its value as cultural heritage, but also as a testimony to the diversity of the city, a proud crossroads of cultures and a peaceful haven for different religious communities over the centuries.”

At that time, Minister Al Kaabi added that through the UAE’s restorative efforts with UNESCO, the aim was not only to rebuild various places of worship, but “also to empower Moslawi youth by creating job opportunities, providing vocational and technical training, and enhancing the capabilities of craftsmen in the field of preservation of cultural heritage.”

Harmony and cohesion between religions

In the joint statement issued on Saturday, Minister Al Kaabi and Ms. Azoulay described the Pope's visit to Al-Tahera Church as sending a clear message to the world that harmony and cohesion between the followers of all religions is the only way for the advancement and progress of humanity, and the most effective means by which to address the increasing challenges facing the world.

The Minister and Director-General stressed the importance of the Pope’s visit to the site of the project in spreading the message of peace and fraternity and highlighted the strength and resilience of humanity in countering the divisive message spread by the group responsible for destroying the Al Nouri Mosque, the Al Saa’a and Al Tahera Churches.

“The Pope’s visit to the project site was a source of inspiration to those engaged in the rehabilitation efforts and provides strong impetus to efforts aimed at establishing peace and harmony in Iraq, the region and the world,” they stated.

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The Turkmen Front comments on a postage stamp issued by the region on the Pope's visit

•  Time: 03/10/2021 14:11:24
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•  Read: 2,275 times

  

{Baghdad: Al Furat News} The Iraqi Turkmen Front condemns the regional government issuing special postage stamps for Pope Francis' visit to Erbil, which included a divisive map threatening the unity of Iraqi lands, including the governorates of Kirkuk and Mosul

The Turkmen Front stated in a statement that the Euphrates News received a copy of it, that "this step is considered a direct threat to Iraqi, regional and international security," indicating that "we advise the regional government and Kurdish political parties to maintain the security and unity of Iraq and the region and not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The referendum and the imposition of a fait accompli policy has proven its failure, and it is the unity of the country that maintains the legitimacy of all our rights. "

 The statement stressed, "The need for the unity and sovereignty of the country to be the word that brings together the components and spectrums of the Iraqi people, and that the map issued by the regional government reflects what the Kurdistan Workers Party Organization, which is classified as a terrorist organization, is requesting, which has also become the cause of international interventions in the land of Iraq." ".

Forgiveness Al-Khalidi

[yota691]

The Pope tweets again about Iraq: Palm trees in the face of weapons

2021.03.10 - 15:39

 

  

Baghdad - People   

The Pope of the Vatican called again for peace in Iraq, calling for the violence not to be confronted with violence.  

  

 

  

The Pope said in a tweet followed by "People" (March 10, 2021), "The response to war is not another war, and the response to weapons is not other weapons. The answer is brotherhood. This is the challenge facing Iraq, but not only: it is the challenge for many." From conflict areas and, therefore, to the whole world. "   

He added, "Let us continue our prayers for Iraq and the Middle East. In Iraq, despite the turmoil of destruction and weapons, palm trees, the symbol of the homeland, continued to grow and bear fruit. The same is the case for brotherhood: they do not make noise, but they bear fruit and make us grow ".  

[yota691]

POSTAGE STAMPS FOR THE KURDISTAN REGION .. IRAN ENTERS THE CRISIS LINE

Wednesday, 10 March 2021 8:27 PM

 

 

Follow-up / National News Center

Iran entered, today, Wednesday, the crisis caused by the postage stamps issued by the Kurdistan region on the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis I of the Vatican.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatib Zadeh said, in statements followed by the National News Center, that "what was published in the media about the memorial character proposed by the Kurdistan region of Iraq about the visit of Pope Francis does not agree with international charters and principles."

He pointed out that the Iranian Foreign Ministry "submitted an objection to the Iraqi government to the Kurdistan region authorities publishing stamps, showing the Pope of the Vatican and a map of the region, but it includes Iranian territory."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman considered the move "unfriendly."

Earlier in the day, the Kurdistan Regional Government responded regarding the postage stamps for the Pope's visit to Iraq, which the region intends to issue.

"A number of artists have submitted their proposals regarding these stamps to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, but until now the regional government has not approved them," said the spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government, Gutiar Adel, in a press conference followed by the "National News Center".

Adel added, "The regional government, and from the standpoint of protecting Iraqi sovereignty, announces its position," stressing that "all that has come so far is mere proposals."

Today, Turkey objected to the intention of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government to issue commemorative stamps for Pope Francis' visit to the region, bearing a map of "Greater Kurdistan" that includes Turkish provinces.

[yota691]

The first official comment from Kurdistan about the Pope's stamps
 Yesterday, 18:24

 

 

 

Baghdad - IQ  

The Kurdistan Region issued, on Wednesday, (10 March 2021), a comment on the stamps bearing the pictures of the Pope, while indicating that these stamps were only proposals submitted by some designers.

" The Pope's stamps were only proposals made by some designers on the occasion of the Pope's visit to Erbil," Kurdistan Regional Government spokesman Gutiar Adel said in a press conference attended by  IQNEWS .

He added that "the regional government is committed to respecting the constitution and the sovereignty of Iraq," noting that "so far, no stamp design has been approved."

"The stamps are not official, they are only proposals, and they need legal procedures for their approval," he stressed.

Today, Wednesday (March 10, 2021), the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Kurdistan Regional Government to clarify its position on the stamps that it presented during the visit of the Pope of the Vatican to Erbil, demanding "an immediate correction of what it described as a grave mistake."

She pointed out that "one of the stamps included the map of" Greater Kurdistan ", which refers to the Kurds' perception of their" future state ", and included Turkish states with a Kurdish majority.

 

[yota691]

Iran joins Turkey and returns Kurdistan stamps for the Pope’s visit

• WEDNESDAY, 10-03-2021, PM 8:49
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• TAYSEER AL-ASADI
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http://non14.net/public/images/large/9-1615398594.jpg

Iran responded, on Wednesday, to the stamps that the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government intends to issue regarding the visit of Pope Francis to Iraq.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatib Zadeh said in statements that "what was published in the media about the memorial character proposed by the Kurdistan region of Iraq regarding the visit of Pope Francis does not agree with international charters and principles."
Zada added, "The Iranian Foreign Ministry has lodged an objection to the Iraqi government for the Kurdistan region authorities to publish stamps, showing the Pope of the Vatican and a map of the region, but it includes Iranian territory."
He stressed, "The move is not friendly."

[shixjr]

They are offended by a picture on a stamp?  How low can you go?

[yota691]

Kurdistan is committing a fatal mistake, which was met with a decisive response from the neighboring countries

 Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 4:01 GMT

 

After the Pope's visit to Iraqi Kurdistan, the issuance of a commemorative stamp on the occasion of this trip provoked angry reactions among the people and officials in the countries neighboring Iraq, as well as a condemnation within Iraq itself.

 

World - private to the world

Although this commemorative stamp was presented by the official spokesperson for Iraqi Kurdistan as a proposal among other proposals, and it was announced that there was no prior bad intention for its issuance, its publication raised a special sensitivity for the people and officials in Iran, Syria and Turkey, as these countries are considered, that Kurdistan is just a region subordinate to Iraqi sovereignty, no more.

While the secession referendum in the year 2000 faced categorical rejection from inside and outside Iraq, and while the Iraqi Kurdistan region suffers from a stifling financial crisis and its officials are looking to Baghdad to allocate the necessary funds to pay the salaries of employees, taking this last step that took place without studying its consequences can set The region is in new problems with the central authority in Baghdad, the other three neighboring countries.

Iran announced by speaking on behalf of the Foreign Ministry Saeed Khatib Zadeh: The Islamic Republic has expressed to the Iraqi government its protest on this issue, and called for an immediate collection and correction of this unfriendly act, and considered it contrary to international principles and rules. And the region demanded to abandon this approach that threatens the unity and sovereignty of Iraq.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the actions of the Kurdistan region of Iraq and considered it a transgression of borders, describing it as empty dreams towards the countries neighboring Iraq, calling on the authorities of the Kurdish region in Iraq to issue a statement necessary to correct this grave mistake, as soon as possible and clearly.

Speculation remains about the purpose of issuing this postal stamp that suggests what is called Greater Kurdistan by cutting off parts from neighboring countries. Observers link this Kurdistan approach with the plans of the current US President Joe Biden, who was one of the advocates for the division of Iraq after its occupation, especially as he is considered a strong ally of Kurdistan as well. They relate that to the existence of the Israeli lobby that works in secret from there .. However, it is clear that any such idea of making the slightest change in the geopolitics of the region will be met with a decisive and decisive response from the countries concerned.

[yota691]

"Territory stamps" are causing a major political controversy

Saturday 13 March 2021 83

 

 Baghdad: Morning 

 

The commemorative stamps announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government following the recent visit of the Vatican Pope Francis to the country sparked controversy and a major political storm that crossed the borders of Iraq to cross into neighboring countries, as Turkey and Iran protested the appearance of a map as a background for the Pope’s image in one of the stamps, which includes in addition to the three provinces of the region. A wide range of provinces of Diyala, Nineveh, and Kirkuk, as well as areas in southern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and east

Syria.

Regarding Kurdistan’s disregard for the Arabic language in the stamps it issued on the occasion of the Pope’s visit, Hussein al-Oqabi, a member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, said in a special statement to “Al-Sabah”: “The Kurdistan Regional Government’s disregard for the federal government is taking place in multiple files and not only in the issue of stamps, especially since it is I ignore the official language of the Iraqi state, and these stamps have brought us into political embarrassment with neighboring countries such as Turkey, Iran and Syria.

[yota691]

Pope Francis' visit and the economic dimensions

Saturday 13 March 2021 47

 

 Baghdad: Hussein Al-Tamimi - Mustafa Al-Hashimi 

 

Pope Francis' visit to Iraq reflected many economic and social dimensions, which were intended to enhance international confidence in Iraq.

This visit also bore within it international desires to work and invest in Iraq, which is a renewable job opportunity.
 

The economist Bassem Jamil Antoine said: "The peace message that His Holiness Pope Francis brought, means that Iraq, in all its spectrums, seeks peace, which is the cornerstone for the advancement of the economy." 

Antoine added, "The lofty message of the Pope’s presence in Iraq is that stability and peace are a feature of the next stage in the country, where companies will enhance their role and ambition to be present in Iraq during the coming period, especially since these companies realize the importance of Iraq in the arena of the global economy." 

 

world population

Stressing that "the tourism sector has the largest share in the presence of the Pope, who intended religious landmarks, temples and churches that have a connection with a large number of the world's population that exceeds two billion people, and this means large numbers will go to Iraq, especially in the Ziggurat of Ur in the city of Nasiriyah and the shrine of God’s Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him." 

"Ahead of us is the task of preparing for the next stage, which requires creating infrastructure for the tourism sector, including roads, hotels and communications, with a high degree of development commensurate with the needs of tourism in the world," he said. 

 

World confidence 

Antoine also pointed out that "the visit will enhance the world's confidence in Iraq and its economy and the presence and work within this market, which is replete with renewable job opportunities, and it is a symbol of justice and equality among all sects of Iraq, especially since the Pope visited the various sites of interest to most of the sects of Iraq."

He continued, "The reality of the country after the Pope's visit will be different from its predecessor, as the attention of the world and the major companies present around the developed world will turn towards Iraq."

 

The tourist side

As for Father Rayan, he said, "The visit is important at all levels, without exception, and it came at a time when Iraq was in dire need of it and addressed the world that Iraq is a country of peace and always seeks peace. As for the economic dimension of this visit, it is the tourism aspect that will receive global attention," Where there is a mass of humanity that will look forward and wish to visit the places, which His Holiness intended, and here the matter needs to be directed towards creating the appropriate environment for these trends for the peoples of the world and work to receive them in the best way, and this carries great benefit for the national economy ». 

 

Bear the positive

The head of the Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, Firas Al-Hamdani, said that “Pope Francis’s visit carries with it positive aspects in all its joints, and reflects the extent of interest in the land of Mesopotamia from which life began and from which the regime and the land of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)”.

He warned that «the visit opens economic horizons with the countries of the world, and in all cases trade will have a prominent role, and here we mean the commercial role of Iraq in trade between the East and the West, and here we put all our experiences before the world to complete this trend, after developing the joints of our commercial work, and to be a manufacturing center. Globally, we revive our production and establish global industries that are of great benefit to all parties. ” 

 

Global effort

Baghdad Economic Forum member Jassem Al-Aradi described the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis as a mission at all levels, including the economic, as it carries a message to the advanced global effort that Iraq seeks peace and that the period of darkness has gone forever, and this is what the large companies that own capital and advanced technology are looking for.

He pointed out that "Iraq is in dire need of this visit, which is the first of its kind and came at the appropriate time, during which the country is heading towards a new stage of work commensurate with the country's economic capabilities."

 

Nobel massage

The president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce described the visit of His Holiness the Pope of the Vatican as a pride for all Iraqis. It carries a lofty message to Mesopotamia and its sons, and strengthens international confidence in Iraq, and in all cases, it will bring positive results to the country. 

He pointed out that «the visit of His Holiness enhances the world's confidence in Iraq and encourages opening new horizons in cooperation with Iraq and its private sector, which is responsible for managing the economy during the coming period».

Member of the Iraqi Economists Association d. Ikram Abdel Aziz emphasized that «the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Iraq can confirm its importance through the global interest that accompanied the visit, as we found presidents and political figures who welcomed the arrival of His Holiness to the Middle East and Iraq in particular, and the transfer of the visit when the Pope arrived in Iraq before About 400 channels around the world, and it represented an important event that brought the world’s eyes to this important place for economic blocs. 

Globalism". 

And Abdul Aziz warned that «the Pope wandered in various regions of Iraq a message to international companies, to go to the Iraqi labor market and invest in various productive and service sectors, especially that Iraq is characterized by the existence of a large volume of work, and this means that it is a renewed opportunity for those who accept to work inside Iraq, Iraq could also be a global industrial center, which carries with it great benefit for the country and the countries of the region and international companies specialized in the matter of production ». 

And she emphasized that «the Pope’s visit opened the door for companies and Iraq to cooperate and start a new phase of understanding that serves both sides of the process and advances the national economy and puts Iraq in its true position on the list of the global economy». 

[yota691]

 

[yota691]

Saleh: Iraq will not be stable without sovereignty, and the Pope and Mr. Sistani meet with the summit of moderation and moderation

•  Time: 03/15/2021 22:00:51
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•  Read: 52 times

  

{Politics: Al Furat News} The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, considered that the visit of the Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, to Iraq, earlier this month, was a historic moment and a moment of joy for the Iraqis, for their unity, and the Muslims were happy like the Christians.

Saleh said, in a press interview, that "Iraq is the land of civilizations, the source of religions, and the resting place of imams," adding that different sects lived in the country,
adding that "Iraq has passed many storms, hatred and wars, but the constant remains, which is coexistence and pluralism, and the visit of the Pope was confirmation of this Concepts. ”And he
added,“ Pope Francis was very happy when he arrived in Iraq and found a reception full of folk songs and joy, while the name of Iraq abroad was associated with violence, problems and death.
”Saleh pointed out that“ the Pope’s visit was met with a great popular response, which showed that people Clinging to life and coexistence, "describing" the meeting that brought Pope Francis to the supreme religious authority, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, with the summit of moderation and tolerance.
He emphasized that Pope Francis and Mr. Sistani represent an approach in moderation, dialogue and coexistence, which will have a great impact on interfaith dialogue.
Salih said that Pope Francis praised Sistani, describing him as the man of God and the wise, and stressed the need to communicate with him in order to serve humanity.
And he talked about the great symbolism of Pope Francis' visit to the city of Mosul, which the head of the buried terrorist ISIS used to preach a few years ago, and then it became liberated today, so the Pope of the Catholic Church settled with it.
When Saleh was asked about the return of the people of Mosul to their city after the exit of ISIS, he said that the displaced are returning, expressing that the return will take place faster.
He acknowledged that the conditions were very difficult, while the return began in a more organized manner at the present time. In Sinjar, which was subjected to great damage, for example, the number of those who returned has increased.
He pointed to the continued existence of security problems, saying that he did not want to underestimate the danger of ISIS, which sometimes comes from the Syrian borders, in addition to the sleeper cells that are still present in the deserts and wilderness.
Despite the obstacles that have marred the reconstruction in Iraq, Saleh described the ongoing efforts to achieve this goal as "serious."
 In his answer to a question about the possibility of building a strong Iraq in the presence of uncontrolled weapons, the President of the Republic stressed the need to put matters in their historical context, given that what is happening today cannot be read in isolation from what happened yesterday.
Saleh recalled influential stations in the history of Iraq, such as the fall of the monarchy, the advent of the Baath Party and the wars that took place for decades, saying that the country lived through great violence.
He said that Iraq will not be stabilized unless it is sovereign. Any country can impose the law and confine its arms to its hand, in addition to the ability to protect the borders, "there is a growing national consensus."

[yota691]

BARHAM SALIH: THE POPE’S VISIT TO IRAQ WAS A HISTORIC MOMENT OF JOY

Monday, 15 March 2021 9:26 PM

 

 

Baghdad / National News Center

The Iraqi President, Barham Salih, said that the visit of the Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, to Iraq, earlier this March, was a historic moment and a moment of joy for the Iraqis, for their unity, and the Muslims were happy like the Christians.

Barham Salih said, in an interview with "Sky News Arabia", followed by the "News Center," that Iraq is the land of civilizations, the source of religions and the resting place of the imams, adding that different sects lived in the country.

He added that Iraq has passed many storms, hatred and wars, but the constant remains, which is coexistence and pluralism, and the visit of the Pope was a confirmation of these concepts.

Barham Salih added that Pope Francis was very happy when he arrived in Iraq and found a reception full of popular songs and joy, while the name of Iraq abroad was associated with violence, problems and death.

The Iraqi president indicated that the Pope's visit was met with a great popular response, which showed that people are attached to life and coexistence.

The Iraqi president described the meeting that brought together Pope Francis and the Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, as a summit of moderation and tolerance.

He emphasized that Pope Francis and Mr. Sistani represent an approach in moderation, dialogue and coexistence, which will have a great impact on interfaith dialogue.
Barham Salih said that Pope Francis praised Sistani, describing him as the man of God and the wise, and stressed the need to communicate with him in order to serve humanity.

Barham Salih spoke about the great symbolism of Pope Francis' visit to the city of Mosul, which the leader of the terrorist organization ISIS used to address a few years ago, and then it became liberated today, so the Pope of the Catholic Church settled with it.

When Barham Salih was asked about the return of the people of Mosul to their city after the departure of ISIS, he said that the displaced are returning, expressing that the return will take place faster.

He acknowledged that the conditions were very difficult, while the return began in a more organized manner at the present time. In Sinjar,
which was subjected to great damage, for example, the number of those who returned has increased.

He indicated that there are still security problems, saying that he does not want to underestimate the danger of ISIS, which sometimes comes from the Syrian borders, in addition to the sleeper cells that are still present in the deserts and wilderness.

Despite the obstacles that have marred the reconstruction in Iraq, Barham Salih described the ongoing efforts to achieve this goal as "serious."

 In his answer to a question about the possibility of building a strong Iraq in the presence of armed factions, Barham Salih stressed the need to put matters in their historical context, given that it is not possible to read what is happening today in isolation from what happened yesterday.

Barham Salih recalled influential stations in the history of Iraq, such as the fall of the monarchy, the coming of the Baath Party and the wars that took place for decades, saying that the country lived through great violence.
Barham Salih said that Iraq will not stabilize unless it is sovereign. Any country can impose the law and confine weapons in its hands, in addition to the ability to protect the borders, "there is a growing national consensus."

[yota691]

THE FRENCH PRESIDENT: THE POPE'S VISIT TO IRAQ IS A TURNING POINT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

22 Mar 2021

Paris-Oriental, March 22: French President Emmanuel Macron described Pope Francis' visit to Iraq as a true turning point for the Middle East, Elysee said. The French presidency said that Macron congratulated the Pope, during a phone call, on his historic visit to Iraq, and they discussed its impact and importance, describing it as a real turning point for the region. The Elysee indicated that Macron and the Pope shared their thoughts and concerns about the crises that destabilize many regions of the world and more broadly the instability caused by countries that use religious diplomacy for political ends, as well as the world's challenges after the spread of Covid 19, and the situation in Lebanon

[yota691]

Pope Francis: The economic crisis is severe

Monday 29th March 2021 56

 

 Rome: Agencies

 

Pope Francis held a "Palm Sunday" Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, which was almost empty of worshipers due to the restrictions of the Corona virus, for the second year in a row, and said: "Satan exploits the pandemic."

In his sermon, the Pope said: "We were shocked last year, and this year we are under more pressure, and the economic crisis has become very severe."

He added, "Satan exploits this crisis to sow suspicion, despair and discord, and the epidemic has caused physical, psychological and spiritual suffering."

In times before the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Saint Peter's Square was crowded with tens of thousands of worshipers carrying olive branches and palm fronds to celebrate in the open air “Palm Sunday,” which marks the beginning of the Holy Week that ends with Easter.

Only about 120 people attended mass on Sunday, and about 30 cardinals, in a wing attached to the cathedral

Huge.

Italy is currently imposing new lockdown measures that are set to end after Easter, and last Wednesday the Pope ordered cardinals and other clerics to cut wages to save jobs for other employees.