The Islamic State inflicted atrocities against all communities during its three-year rule in parts of Iraq. But the Christian minority was hit especially hard.
The pontiff,winding up a historic trip to Iraq,met Abdullah Kurdi at the end of Mass in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Erbil,the Vatican said in a statement.
Pope Francis on Sunday heard Muslim and Christian residents in Mosul tell of their lives under Islamic State rule.
The Grand Ayatollah and the Pope discussed the safety of Iraqi Christians during the historic visit which was carried live on television.
The 84-year-old pope donned a facemask during the flight from Rome,as did his hosts in Baghdad. But the masks came off when the leaders sat down to talk.
The Pope landed in Baghdad on Friday for his most risky foreign trip since his election in 2012,saying he felt duty-bound to make the “emblematic” visit.
The Labor leader will use a speech on Monday that Australia “shouldn’t walk past those who are in need or suffering” as it emerges from the deepest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Pope Francis has put a 19th century English Catholic priest who was a distant relative of Britain’s Prince William on the path to sainthood.
Francis said he hoped Biden would work towards a society of true justice,freedom and respect for the rights and dignity of every person,especially the poor.
Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass,while continuing to affirm that they cannot be priests.
Pope Francis said on Saturday he planned to have a COVID-19 vaccination as early as next week and urged everyone to get a shot,to protect not only their own lives but those of everyone else.