In a campaign organized by Iraqi expatriates, Mr. Sistani and Pope Francis were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

[yota691]

What does the Pope of the Vatican want from Iraq?

Opinions

05 March 2021

 

A poster in Erbil celebrates the visit of Pope Francis (3/3/2021 / AFP)

 

This article comes on the occasion of the Pope's visit to Iraq, which begins today, Friday (5 March). As a reminder, he is of Argentine origin, and after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, the Pontifical Council elected him to succeed him. And he chose a papal name for him, Francis. He was known for his humility, and his concern for the poor. The papacy moved from the difficult obligations of theology to the reduction of formalities, inter-religious dialogue, and the treatment of human problems. It resides in a guesthouse, instead of the papal suites in the Apostolic Palace. He maintains the new ecclesiastical traditions regarding abortion, clerical celibacy, and the ordination of women, but has begun conversations about his openness and welcoming of members of the *** community, and he favors legal recognition of same-sex couples. He is outspoken in his critique of unbridled capitalism and free-market economics, consumerism, and the overdevelopment of globalization. It calls for action on climate change. Participated in restoring diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, and supporting refugee issues and crises in Europe and Central America. Since 2018, he has become a vocal opponent of the new nationalities, and has faced stark criticism from hard-line conservative theologians.

He coordinated with the United States under the two presidents, Obama and Trump. His visit, in May 2014, to Israel was highly publicized, in which he delivered 13 speeches, and protests against his visit resulted in an alleged burning attempt of a monastery, as a cave caught fire below the Church of the Nativity the night after his visit. He described the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, as the "angel of peace" in May 2015, while trying to resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. In June 2015, he visited Sarajevo and urged peace in this religiously diverse city known as "European Jerusalem." In September 2015, he addressed the United Nations in New York. In April / September 2016, he brought the refugee issue to the world's attention.

 

Pope Francis' visit to Iraq in its current state does not advance or delay their tragic situations and the disasters that haunt them

On May 24, 2017, Pope Francis met with former US President Trump, in the Vatican, and discussed the contributions of Catholics to the United States and the world. As well as issues of religious communities and how to fight human suffering in crisis areas, such as Syria, Libya, and Iraqi territories controlled by the militants of the Islamic State (ISIS). They also discussed terrorism and extremism among youth, the issue of climate change and the delicate balances of ecosystems. Francis visited Ireland in 2018, apologizing for the violations committed by the clergy in the United States and Ireland. In February 2019, he visited Abu Dhabi and performed mass there.

The Pope’s movements could not only be for charitable, pastoral, spiritual and reformist works, but he was also carrying political and media messages. Fortune has ranked this pope # 1 in their list of the 50 Greatest Leaders. On November 5, 2014, Forbes ranked him the fourth most powerful person in the world. In March 2016, he created an account on Instagram. And in 2019, he held a conference, on World Social Day, that shed light on the pros and cons of that. On 26 November, he began writing an "opinion article" for the New York Times, dealing with issues such as the Coronavirus and the need for global solidarity.

The least that the Iraqis ask for from the Pope is to support their revolution in order to achieve their demands for a free and dignified life

Pope Francis is visiting Iraq today on a four-day program, and the most important highlight is that he will hold a closed meeting with the supreme authority of the Twelver Shiites, Ali al-Sistani. He will visit the ancient city of Ur, Baghdad, Mosul and Erbil, and he will hold more than one mass. Is the visit a spiritual, religious, or political, media? What is it good for at this time? Does the Pope carry political messages from a specific country? What is the benefit of visiting him when most of the Iraqi Christians have emigrated or have expelled from their country? Will the visit give the Iraqi political system, and its current government, a testimony of good behavior for everything that happened in Iraq more than 17 years ago? How will Iran accept this visit, when it considers Iraq one of its properties? Therefore, this is a risky visit, as Iraq is littered with mines, and there are many idlers, criminals and filthy militias in it.

Let all Iraqis, and those who sympathize with their pain and suffering, realize that Pope Francis' visit to Iraq in its current situation does not advance or delay their tragic situations and the disasters that beset them. Iraqi officials see the visit as a certificate of their recognition, while large segments of the Iraqi people look to the Pope in his visit as a savior for them from hell ... and the least that the Iraqis ask the Pope to support their revolution in order to achieve their demands for a free and decent life, and condemn the militias intruding on their country And the mischief in it, and condemn the killing of the youth of Iraq, and to call for the elimination of corruption and condemn the corrupt, and to appeal to people of conscience to reform the crushed and destroyed cities and return the displaced to their homes and homes and compensate them for their losses. And before all this, he calls for a free and independent Iraq, in which religious, sectarian and ethnic discrimination will disappear. For education and health services to develop, and for the human person and his dignity to be cared for.

[yota691]

A "repentant pilgrim" ... the Pope arrives in Iraq today on a historic visit

l 1 hour ago

Sky News Arabia - Abu Dhabi

•  

 

Banners fill the streets welcoming the Pope's arrival in Baghdad

In the first historic visit of the Pope of the Vatican to Iraq, Pope Francis begins a four-day visit to Baghdad, in which he visits a number of Iraqi provinces, including Najaf, Dhi Qar, Erbil, and Mosul, in addition to the capital, Baghdad.

/web/images/v1/2021/03/05/1419460/1000/563/1-1419460.JPG

Iraq is preparing for the papal visit

 

 

A reception ceremony for Pope Francis (84 years) will be held at Baghdad International Airport and Baghdad Palace, in the presence of President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, and Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi.

On the eve of his visit, Pope Francis sent a message to the Iraqis, saying: "I will come to you as a repentant pilgrim, in order to ask God for forgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terror."

The Pope said that he is visiting to show solidarity with the Christians in Iraq, which numbered about 300 thousand people, or about a fifth of their number before the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the violence of extremists that followed.

 

The agenda of the visit includes the Pope’s meeting with the religious authority Ali al-Sistani in the city of Najaf, before heading to the ancient city of Ur in Nasiriyah, the birthplace of the father of the prophets Ibrahim al-Khalil, peace be upon him, as well as visiting a number of churches in Nineveh Governorate in addition to Erbil.

For weeks, preparations for the Pope's visit have been in full swing. Some of the streets, through which the procession would pass, were paved, and dozens of workers painted the walls and placed flowers around the churches that he would visit.

Banners and posters with pictures of the Pope were raised, and the flags of Iraq and the Vatican flutter on the roofs of buildings.

Former Pope John Paul II was about to visit Iraq, but the visit was canceled in 2000 after talks with former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein collapsed.

 

/images/v1/2021/03/04/1419296/1000/563/1-1419296.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baghdad is preparing to receive the Pope of the Vatican

 

 Unprecedented security readiness

On the other hand, Iraqi police deployed thousands of additional security forces personnel to protect Pope Francis during his four-day visit, which comes after a wave of rocket and bomb attacks raised concerns for the Pope's safety.

A senior security official briefed on the security plan said that the participating forces had received training to deal with worst-case scenarios, from street clashes to bombing and even missile attacks.

These hypothetical threats were part of a large-scale exercise in preparation for the visit, which will last from the fifth to the eighth of March, which is the first papal visit to Iraq. In addition to concerns about violence, the country witnessed a spike in COVID-19 cases, which further complicated preparations for the visit.

Armored vehicles

 

The special forces of the Ministry of Interior and the army will form a security cordon around the Pope wherever he goes, while the Air Force will launch drones around the clock to monitor the paths he takes.

A team of bomb experts and counterterrorism forces will be on standby in the event that any suspicious devices appear or clashes take place in the streets.

The source, who requested anonymity for dealing with security issues, added that secret officers from the Intelligence and National Security Agency will be deployed amid the gatherings attended by the Pope.

A technical team will also be able to cut off suspicious phone or wireless communications.

Vatican officials and local church leaders said they were reassured that Iraqi forces would be able to provide adequate protection for the Pope and his entourage.

 

Ten thousand security forces will be deployed to protect Pope Francis, who might otherwise move in armored vehicles.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said, "It is clear that we are now talking about a visit that has different security requirements than other visits, so it is very likely that an armored vehicle will be used." 

Security forces and armored vehicles deployed in the normally empty streets around the churches the Pope was scheduled to visit in central Baghdad. 

About two weeks ago, the Iraqi government banned most travel between the provinces and imposed a curfew from 8 in the evening to 5 in the morning on working days and a complete ban on weekends after a significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

A police official said that precautions to limit the spread of the Coronavirus have facilitated security reinforcements for the Pope's visit

[yota691]

Foreign Minister: Media professionals from all over the world will arrive in Iraq to cover the Pope's visit

Political| 07:33 - 04/03/2021

 

 

 

 

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein affirmed that Baghdad is ready for peace with the Pope and welcoming his arrival, while affirming that media professionals from all over the world will arrive in Iraq to cover the Pope's visit.
Hussein said in a press conference followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the Pope's visit is the first after the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic," noting that "the visit carries a message of peace, tolerance and rejection of violence." 
He added that "the capital, Baghdad, is ready to greet the Pope and welcome his arrival," noting that "the Iraqi people, with all its components, are looking forward to the visit of the Pope." 
He pointed out that "the Pope's visit program was prepared in advance and in cooperation with everyone," noting that "the organizing committee for the visit has completed its preparations in coordination with the Vatican." 
He continued, "The Iraqi mission in Rome has made many facilities to visit the Pope," pointing out that "

[Rochester]

On 3/3/2021 at 6:16 PM, Laid Back said:

“people cannot be let down again,"

                                                       The Pope.

 

Go God 🙏🏼

Go peace ☮️ 
Go RV 💰

Go purchasing power 💵💵💵

The Pope is a very intelligent man with good and moral reasons to go. But same time I think the financial powers that be want him to go, to promote peace and stability for economic reasons. I think even people who are very cynical about religion or the Pope are being blind, if they don't strongly suspect big money is behind this. Some on this forum like the Pope, others don't. Doesn't matter. Both I think have strong reason to suspect, something is afoot. His visit is very fishy, in it's timing. Peace is much easier, if people get along and prosper together. One hand washes the other. Empty promises don't make people happy. The Pope may be religious, but he's no fool. He likely knows he's being used by governments, but suspects it's for good reasons. 

[GregHi]

24 minutes ago, Rochester said:

The Pope is a very intelligent man with good and moral reasons to go. But same time I think the financial powers that be want him to go, to promote peace and stability for economic reasons. I think even people who are very cynical about religion or the Pope are being blind, if they don't strongly suspect big money is behind this. Some on this forum like the Pope, others don't. Doesn't matter. Both I think have strong reason to suspect, something is afoot. His visit is very fishy, in it's timing. Peace is much easier, if people get along and prosper together. One hand washes the other. Empty promises don't make people happy. The Pope may be religious, but he's no fool. He likely knows he's being used by governments, but suspects it's for good reasons. 

Totally agree!!! This has been planned for months and why not delay his visit until the virus is not an issue any longer.. I think it’s about timing as well. Now that the Pope “has blessed” Iraq with his presence, Iraq can move forward with wealth to their citizens and a better life.. I view this as a kick off to a better life in Iraq with the HCL giving money to the people and an RV that will give them purchasing power and jobs in reconstruction and prosperity for all.. it’s all about the timing.. 

[yota691]

The text of the statement of Mr. Sistani's office regarding the historic meeting between the Supreme Authority and the Pope of the Vatican

Saturday 06 March 2021 273

 

Baghdad / morning 

 

Al-Sabah newspaper publishes the text of the statement of Mr. Sistani's office regarding the historic meeting between the Supreme Authority and the Pope of the Vatican.

The following is the text of the statement: 

 

In the name of of Allah the Merciful

This morning, His Eminence Sayyid Al-Sistani met with the Grand Pontiff (Pope Francis), Pope of the Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican.

 

During the meeting, the discussion revolved around the great challenges that humanity faces in this era and the role of faith in God Almighty and His messages, and commitment to high moral values in overcoming them.

 

His Eminence talked about the injustice, oppression, poverty, religious and intellectual persecution, suppression of basic freedoms and the absence of social justice, especially the wars, acts of violence, economic blockade, displacement and so on, especially the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

 

His Eminence indicated the role that the great religious and spiritual leaders should play in curbing these tragedies, and what is hoped for in urging the concerned parties - especially in the great powers - to give priority to reason and wisdom and to reject the language of war, and not to expand caring for their self-interests over Calculating peoples' rights to live in freedom and dignity.

 

He also stressed the importance of concerted efforts to consolidate the values of harmony, peaceful coexistence and human solidarity in all societies, stating the protection of rights and mutual respect among followers of different religions and intellectual trends.

His Eminence praised the status and glorious history of Iraq and the honorable Muhammad of its various affiliations.

 

And he expressed his hope that he will overcome his current ordeal not long ago. He affirmed his concern for Christian citizens to live like all Iraqis in peace and security, and with full constitutional rights.

 

 He referred to a part of the role played by the religious authority in protecting them and all those who had been wronged and hurt in the incidents of past years, especially during the period in which the terrorists seized vast areas in several Iraqi provinces, and practiced criminal acts there.

 

His Eminence wished the Supreme Pontiff, the followers of the Catholic Church, and the general public of humanity good and happiness, and thanked him for making the effort to travel to Najaf to make this visit.

 

21 / Rajab / 1442 AH

The office of Sayyid al-Sistani (may his shadow) - Najaf

[yota691]

Kanna: Mr. Sistani, in his modest meeting with the Pope, expressed the tolerant principles and a message of peace

•  Time: 03/07/2021 13:40:58
•  
•  Read: 3 120 times

  

(Baghdad: Al Furat News) The deputy of the Christian component, Yonadam Kanna, said that the Pope’s visit represented many messages to the whole world, indicating that the Pope’s meeting with the supreme religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani dispelled several allegations.
Kanna told Al-Furat News that "the Pope's meeting with Mr. Ali Al-Sistani was a response and an answer to dispel some of the illusions that emerged after the crimes of ISIS, which gave an insulting picture to peace in front of the non-Muslim countries of the world." Dialogue. " 
Kanna pointed out that "the appearance of Mr. Ali Al-Sissati and his humble encounter is one of the tolerant principles of the monotheistic religions and a message of peace."
He went on to say, "The Pope's visit is a message to all the world and not only to his followers," indicating that he "came carrying the message of Christ, Prince of Peace."
He pointed out that "the first message of the visit is solidarity with the Iraqi people in front of the international community, as Iraq has become almost forgotten after the tragedies it has experienced in recent times." 
And the deputy for the Christian component added: "Now Iraq is under the eyes of the whole world, and the Pope's visit has re-interested in the organizations of the international community and humanitarian organizations as a result of his speeches and prayers." 
And we were gone: "About a billion and 300 million make the pilgrimage to the Vatican, but the leader of the Vatican makes a pilgrimage to us and prays for us, and this is evidence of humility and humanity." 
He stressed that "the visit is to deliver a message of tolerance, brotherhood, partnership, strengthening state institutions, and meeting the dreams of young people."
In a related context, Kanna added: "There were 50 years of problems between America and Cuba, and His Holiness the Pope is from restoring relations," and wished that "he would have a role that resolved tension and conflict for many years in the region." 

Yesterday, the Pope met the supreme religious authority, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, in a historic meeting in Najaf, for the first time, during the Pope’s visit to Najaf.

 

[yota691]

Pope Francis meets with Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani | DW News
114,693 views•Mar 6, 2021

 

DW News

On the second day of his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis has held talks with the country's influential Shia Muslim cleric, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. The historic meeting took place at Sistani's home in the holy city of Najaf. No press were allowed inside for the talks, but a few white doves were released as the Pope entered – underscoring his message of peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in Iraq. The Christian community there has dwindled after years of war and persecution. Those that remain hope a show of solidarity from Sistani could help secure their place in Iraq. 
The meeting was months in the making. Every detail, carefully planned. After a photo op, the two men spoke privately for 40 minutes. The ayatollah reportedly telling the pope he also believes Christians should be able to live in peace in Iraq and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis.
It's a powerful statement from Sistani, who rarely makes his opinions known. When he does, Shi'ites in Iraq and around the world take note.
Later, the pope arrived in the ancient city of Ur, known as the birthplace of Abraham, the biblical patriarch revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews. A fitting place for an interfaith meeting, where Francis underscored his message.
In praying for peace in the Middle East, the pope singled out Syria, ravaged by a decade of civil war. And he condemned religious extremists, who use terrorism to achieve their aims.
The "pilgrim of peace," as Pope Francis called himself, is aware of the risks he's taking amid an ongoing pandemic and regional conflict. 
But he is not traveling alone. He's protected by one of the largest security deployments in recent Iraqi history: 10,000 personnel, by some estimates, including special forces, 24-hour drone surveillance, and undercover intelligence officers.
It's the first visit by a pope to Iraq - coming just days after a rocket attack that seemed to put the trip in doubt. His first remarks in Baghdad acknowledged the difficult days most Iraqis have had to endure without a military escort.
For over two decades now, sectarian conflict has driven most of Iraq's Christians out of the country. In 2014, the so-called Islamic State began targeting Christians, driving hundreds of thousands more from their homes. The pope's visit is a symbol of victory over this tide of violence.
The Cathedral in Baghdad was the site of a 2010 terrorist attack. The Pope's visit there drew strong reactions from the community. Pope Francis also plans to visit Mosul - a recaptured stronghold of the Islamic State.
The meeting was months in the making. Every detail, carefully planned. After a photo op, the two men spoke privately for 40 minutes. The ayatollah, reportedly telling the pope he also believes Christians should be able to live in peace in Iraq, and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis.

[yota691]

A new statement from the Pope: Was the meeting of the authority, Ali al-Sistani, a message to Khamenei?

2021.03.10 - 08:54

 

  

People - Baghdad  

Pope Francis defended the decision to visit Iraq in light of the pandemic crisis, in response to criticism, while talking about his meeting with the Supreme Leader Ali al-Sistani and his goals.  

  

 

  

"The Pope said that he placed the fate of the Iraqis who flocked to see him despite the dangers of the pandemic in the hands of God," the New York Times reported in a report translated by People, Wednesday (March 10, 2021).  

"This is one of the things that made me think. I thought about it a lot, and prayed a lot about it," said the pope, who received the vaccine during a press conference on board the papal plane returning from Baghdad.  

The Pope’s supporters contend that the Pope’s visit is worth the risk to show his support for one of the hardest-hit groups in Iraq.  

Other popes dreamed of visiting Iraq, but Francis was the first to go, reinforcing his grand project of establishing closer ties with the Islamic world and reasserting himself on the world stage after a year of closure.  

Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher said in an interview on board the Vatican had insisted that the restrictions be followed, but that local authorities bear ultimate responsibility for these measures. "We will pray very hard for things to go well," he added.  

The Pope also confirmed that his age is 84 years, and this made travel more difficult these days. "I admit that I was more tired on this trip than others," he said.  

Referring to his meeting on Saturday with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the city of Najaf, he said, "We can say that this is the second step" on the road to closer relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Islamic world.  

Francis, Ayatollah Sistani, the most senior Shiite cleric in Iraq, described him as "a great man, a wise man, and a man of God." He said the cleric told him he had received only a few visitors - be they political, cultural, or religious - for 10 years. The Pope said he felt honored that the supreme authority "rose to greet him."  

And the Pope said, "The meeting was good for my soul."  

In response to a question about whether he considered the meeting to be a message to the hardline reviewer in Iran, the Pope said only that focusing on interfaith brotherhood in the meeting was a "universal message."  

The Vatican expressed its great satisfaction with the trip of Francis, in which he made bold symbolic moves.  

"The problems of a country like Iraq are not solved overnight," said Bishop Gallagher. He described it as a "great contribution" as the Pope "did something, succeeded, and overcame many obstacles - and I think that sends a strong message."  

Bishop Gallagher added, "There is a very spiritual dimension," the Pope says, "No, we must not just give up our responsibility or our contribution." We can all do something. "  

Al-Sajifah says that the Pope, who said that he left the fate of "the believers he visited in Iraq in the hand of God, was more mundane when it came to his followers in Rome." generally".  

"I would like to start the general public as soon as possible," said Francis.  

"We hope there will be circumstances. I follow the authorities' rules," he added.  

And the Pope said that returning among the people was vital to him.  

He continued, "After these months of imprisonment, the journey was like" back to life. "

[yota691]

The meeting of minarets with bells ... influences an Arab painter and presents the Iraqis as a gift

•  Time: 03/16/2021 21:46:08
•  
•  Read: 1,885 times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(Baghdad: Al Furat News) The Lebanese painter Batoul Yaqoub presented the Iraqi people with a wonderful painting that brings together Imam Sistani and Pope Francis.

 

The meeting between Imam Sistani and the Pope witnessed global reactions that affected the world

Raghad Daham

 

[yota691]

In a campaign organized by Iraqi expatriates, Mr. Sistani and Pope Francis were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

Thursday 08 April 2021 164

 

 Paris: Just peace 

 

A group of expatriate Iraqis in Europe organized a campaign to nominate His Eminence, the Supreme Religious Authority, Ayatollah Sayed Ali al-Sistani and His Holiness, Pope Francis, to win the Nobel Peace Prize this year 2021, noting that the campaign came after the successful visit of Pope Francis and his meeting with Sistani in Najaf. It is expected that this campaign will contribute to highlighting the role of the two great references and supporting the path of peace and coexistence in the Middle East after years of wars and conflicts, and the organizers of the campaign, which will continue in the coming days, expect that a large group of the world's intellectuals will join it in order to resolve the nomination. Candidates are chosen by a special committee in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, through elite initiatives, which is what called on a group of Iraqi expatriate intellectuals to launch the campaign.

[nannab]

Absolutely perfect idea!  Thanks Yota