https://arab.news/69jge
- 鈥業 come among you like a pilgrim of peace and I repeat, you are all brothers鈥�
ROME: Pope Francis said in a video message on Thursday that he wants to be seen by the Iraqi people as a 鈥減enitent pilgrim鈥� asking God for 鈥渇orgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terrorism,鈥� and for 鈥渃onsolation of hearts and the healing of wounds.鈥�
The video was published by the Vatican the day before the start of his historic visit to Iraq. 鈥淚 come among you like a pilgrim of peace and I repeat, you are all brothers,鈥� the pope said.
鈥淚 come as a pilgrim of peace in search of fraternity animated by desire to pray together and to walk together, also with brothers and sisters belonging to other religious traditions.鈥�
Addressing Christians in Iraq, he said: 鈥淵ou testified to your faith in Jesus through very hard trials 鈥� You had too many martyrs there. May they help us to persevere in the humble power of love.鈥�
He added: 鈥淵ou still have in your eyes the images of destroyed houses and profaned churches. You had to flee your homes. I would like to bring you the affectionate caress of the whole Church, which is close to you and to the battered Middle East, and encourages you all to move forward.鈥�
The papal visit to Iraq is one of the most complicated that the Vatican has had to organize, mainly because of security concerns and restrictions due to coronavirus.