Iraqi Government Seeks to Address Pope’s Concerns
Iraq (International Christian Concern) – Following the papal visit to Iraq in early March, the Iraqi government has reportedly appointed an inter-ministerial committee tasked with addressing suggestions and concerns of the Pope. Primarily, these recommendations include fixing issues of security, economic development and sustainability, and infrastructure. There are some of the main challenges Christians face in desiring to return or stay in Iraq.
Christians living in Nineveh Governorate face near-daily security threats with the presence of militias, radical Muslims, and Turkish airstrikes. Part of the Pope’s recommendations also included the work of Muqtada al Sadr, a Sadist political leader who began an ad hoc committee seeking to return stolen Christian property to its rightful owner.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Khadimi commented that Pope Francis’ recent Iraq visit was one of love and tolerance. Following the visit, he called for a national dialogue among dissenting groups, as a major tenet of Pope Francis’ efforts for peace.
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