Reuters
US President Joe Biden commented, on Monday, on Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, saying it was “a historic visit that sent an important message, which is that hope is stronger than death, and peace is stronger than war.”
Biden said in the text of the commentary on the visit published by the White House: “Iraq is a country steeped in religious and ethnic diversity, and it is also home to one of the oldest and most diverse Christian communities in the world.”
Biden said, “Pope Francis’ visit (to Iraq) was the first historic and welcome visit to the country. He sent an important message, as Pope Francis himself said, that brotherhood is more permanent than killing brothers, that hope is stronger than death, and peace is stronger than war.” .
Biden considered, “Seeing Pope Francis visiting ancient religious sites, including the birthplace of Ibrahim the biblical, spending time with the Grand Ayatollah, Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, and holding prayers in Mosul, a city that only a few years ago suffered from corruption and intolerance of groups. Extremist, like ISIS, is a symbol of hope for the entire world.
He added, “I congratulate the government and people of Iraq for the sponsorship and planning that contributed to organizing this huge visit, and I continue to admire Pope Francis for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance, the common bonds of our humanity, and interfaith understanding.”
It is noteworthy that Pope Francis left the Iraqi capital this morning, Baghdad, after three days in which he visited five Iraqi provinces, which are Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, Dhi Qar and Nineveh.
Source: RT + White House
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