I hope everyone is aware that Pope Francis recently concluded a four day pastoral visit to Iraq. This was his first missionary journey since the pandemic started last March and it certainly kept some people nervous (and/or prayerful) throughout his time there because of the security threat and the continued threat of the coronavirus. As I compose this, Pope Francis is back safe and sound at the Vatican and his trip (the first by any pope to that area with such great religious history) will not soon be forgotten. In a few short days, Pope Francis went to a number of places around that country including what is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. His visit there focused on forgiveness, hope and promoting peace and harmony between people of various religious traditions who live there. He preached (as Jesus did) forgiveness among the Christian people for the atrocities they endured from ISIS which included the murder of families and destruction of properties, including religious structures.
Pope Francis was very aware of how difficult this could or would be for those who through violence had lost land and home and family and felt (or still feel) the temptation for hatred and revenge. Pope John Paul II once commented that only the warmth of human relathionships marked by respect, understanding and acceptance can help people to overcome such feelings. Pope Francis also showed his love for the Christians there by coming to be with them and praying with and for them. While the number of Christians who remain in that country is now small, their hope for their future lives and the practice of their faith was, no doubt bolstered by the Pope's visit.
Finally, Pope Francis practiced humility by going to the home of a recognized spiritual leader of the Muslim fatih, meeting with him and both promoting a peaceful and respectful co-existence between all people, expecially those who profess faith. In the long run I believe this visit of Pope Francis will be considered one of the highpoints of his papacy and will be a long term blessing for all the people of that country. Let's pray for them and all those who have been ravaged by war, displacement and persecution!
Pope Francis was very aware of how difficult this could or would be for those who through violence had lost land and home and family and felt (or still feel) the temptation for hatred and revenge. Pope John Paul II once commented that only the warmth of human relathionships marked by respect, understanding and acceptance can help people to overcome such feelings. Pope Francis also showed his love for the Christians there by coming to be with them and praying with and for them. While the number of Christians who remain in that country is now small, their hope for their future lives and the practice of their faith was, no doubt bolstered by the Pope's visit.
Finally, Pope Francis practiced humility by going to the home of a recognized spiritual leader of the Muslim fatih, meeting with him and both promoting a peaceful and respectful co-existence between all people, expecially those who profess faith. In the long run I believe this visit of Pope Francis will be considered one of the highpoints of his papacy and will be a long term blessing for all the people of that country. Let's pray for them and all those who have been ravaged by war, displacement and persecution!