Catholic Church in Iraq

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Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Iraq, Muslim dialogue, and persecuted Christians

Mar 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

Among the historic moments from the pope’s recent visit to Iraq was the establishment of a National Day of Tolerance... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: Keep praying for ‘our sorely tried brothers and sisters’ in Iraq

Mar 10, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis urged Catholics worldwide to keep praying for “our sorely tried brothers and sisters”... Read more

E-Book: "Francis in Iraq," download all the Pope's messages

E-Book: 'Francis in Iraq' - Download all of Pope Francis' messages from his trip to Iraq

Mar 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

In this e-book you will find all the homilies, prayers and speeches that Pope Francis gave during his historic visit... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Pope Francis confirms plans to go to Hungary for International Eucharistic Congress

Mar 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis on Monday confirmed that he planned to visit Hungary for the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress,... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

‘This is the pure Gospel’: Pope Francis moved by Iraqi Christians’ witness

Mar 8, 2021

Pope Francis said Monday that the sight of the destroyed churches and ruins in Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Pope Francis: Meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric offered ‘universal message’ of fraternity

Mar 8, 2021

On his flight to Rome from Baghdad on Monday, Pope Francis said that Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is a “humble and... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 7, 2021, in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil,... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Erbil: ‘Today I can see at first hand that the Church in Iraq is alive’

Mar 7, 2021

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed joy at the vitality of the Church in Iraq despite years of fierce persecution.  Read more

Pope Francis in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq on March 7, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Angelus address in the Nineveh Plains

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ Angelus address, delivered March 7, 2021, in Bakhdida (Qaraqosh), Iraq.  Read more

Pope Francis blesses a young boy in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq, on March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in the Nineveh Plains: ‘Terrorism and death never have the last word’

Mar 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis entrusted the rebuilding of Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains to the protection of the Virgin Mary at... Read more

Pope Francis prays for the victims of war in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of war in Mosul

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of the war, delivered March 7, 2021,... Read more

Pope Francis releases a dove after praying for the victims of war in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis prays for victims of war in ruins of Mosul

Mar 7, 2021

Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for the victims of war in the rubble-strewn city of Mosul, where the Islamic State... Read more

Pope Francis with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at Baghdad International Airport, March 5, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Iraqi PM declares national day of tolerance in honor of papal meeting with top Shiite cleric

Mar 6, 2021

Iraq’s prime minister on Saturday declared March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in honor of Pope Francis’ landmark... Read more

Pope Francis greets children in Iraq March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis' homily at Mass in Baghdad's St. Joseph Cathedral

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 6, 2021, at a Mass in the Chaldean... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting, delivered March 6, 2021, in the... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis appeals for interreligious harmony at birthplace of Abraham

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday appealed for harmony among the followers of the world’s major monotheistic religions at an interreligious meeting... Read more

Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis makes landmark visit to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday made a landmark visit to the home of Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.  Read more

Vida Hanna, director of public and international relations at The Catholic University in Erbil, who is coordinating Pope Francis March 7 Mass in Erbil. Credit: Alejandro Bermudez/CNA.

Papal Mass in Erbil 'nothing short of a miracle'

Mar 5, 2021

By Alejandro Bermudez

When Vida Hanna was told by the Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Archeparchy of Erbil that Pope Francis was... Read more

Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at Baghdad’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation

Mar 5, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ address to bishops, priests, religious, consecrated persons, seminarians, and catechists, delivered March... Read more

Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis meets Iraqi Catholics in church where 48 died in 2010 terrorist attack

Mar 5, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met with Iraqi Catholic leaders in Baghdad on Friday, in a cathedral where 48 people were martyred during... Read more