The Pope calls on the international community to work for promoting peace in Iraq and the entire Middle East

Baghdad (ST): Pope Francis has called on the international community to play a decisive role in promoting peace in Iraq and the entire Middle East.

In a speech after his meeting with Iraqi President Barham Saleh at the Baghdad Palace at the start of his historic visit to Iraq on Friday, the Pope said, according to Alsumaria News: “Over the past decades, Iraq has suffered from the disasters of wars, the scourge of terrorism, and conflicts that brought death and destruction, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make this long-awaited visit to this land, the cradle of civilization.

He added that the international community must play a decisive role in promoting peace in Iraq and the entire Middle East, noting that the growing challenges call on the entire humanity to cooperate on a global scale to confront economic inequalities and regional tensions that threaten the stability of these countries.

 Meanwhile, the Middle East Council of Churches commended the Pope’s visit to Iraq, stating that it comes in the context of a call for steadfastness in the face of violence and oppression.

K.Q.