The Pope in Iraq
Iraq is a country close to Pope Francis’ heart and he has long planned to visit. Just days before departure, Pope Francis said: “The Iraqi people are waiting for us, they were waiting for Saint John Paul II, who was forbidden to go. One cannot disappoint a people for the second time. Let us pray that this journey will be successful.”
Theme
The theme of the visit focuses on unity and mutual respect. It is inspired by the Scripture passage from Matthew 23: 8 “You are all brothers.”
Follow the Visit
You can follow the visit by using the links on the Vatican webpage that carries the Pope’s itinerary for the Iraq visit.
The Holy See’s news site – Vatican News – will be regularly updated as Pope Francis travels the country greeting and praying with the Christian communities, and engaging in official meetings with religious and political leaders.
Watch
Cardinal Vincent Nichols visited Erbil in the north in April 2015 – less than a year after ISIS insurgents swept through the region taking Iraq’s second city Mosul, wreaking havoc and killing and displacing thousands. In this interview, Cardinal Nichols speaks to us about his strong memories from the visit – not to mention the people he met and the church-run projects he witnessed in action. The country and its people are still firmly in his heart.
Pope Francis once again lifted his voice in support of the people of Myanmar on Wednesday, in the wake of a deadly crackdown on protesters.
The Pope calls for an end to Violence against Myanmar Protesters
Security forces have killed at least 30 people participating in pro-democracy marches since the military coup on 1 February. Lamenting the deadly clashes, the Pope called on the ruling military junta to stop the violence. “I would like to draw the attention of the authorities involved to the fact that dialogue prevails over repression and harmony over discord,” said Pope Francis.
He also urged the international community to “ensure that the aspirations of the people of Myanmar are not stifled by violence.”
“May the young people of that beloved land be granted the hope of a future where hatred and injustice make way for encounter and reconciliation,” he said.
Release of political prisoners
The Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military, seized power in a coup on 1 February, detaining many political leaders. Aung San Suu Kyi, then the State Counsellor, de facto leader, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was arrested and faces several charges, including causing “fear and alarm” and possessing illegally imported communications equipment.
In his appeal, Pope Francis called on the military junta to release political prisoners and take steps toward restoring democracy.
“Finally, I repeat the wish I expressed a month ago,” he said, “that the path towards democracy taken in recent years by Myanmar may be resumed through the concrete gesture of the release of the various political leaders imprisoned.”
Violent crackdown
The Pope’s appeal come on the heels of a recent, violent crackdown on protesters. After nearly a month of peaceful demonstrations against the coup, security forces began using live ammunition against protesters across the country over the weekend. Just on Wednesday, the same day as the Pope’s appeal at the General Audience, police killed at least 9 people participating in pro-democracy marches. Estimates put the total death toll at around 30 since 1 February.
Source: Vatican News
