Pope Francis, celebrating an open-air Mass at the Franso Hariri football stadium in Erbil, heralded the Church in Iraq for proclaiming the wisdom of the Cross by “spreading Christ’s mercy and forgiveness.”
Jesus is by your side, Pope tells Christians of Qaraqosh
Standing in the newly-reconstructed Church of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Christian Church in Iraq, Pope Francis praised the people of Qaraqosh who suffered so much under the tyranny of the so-called Islamic State.
Pope prays in Mosul for victims of war and violence in Iraq
On Sunday morning, the last full day of his historic visit to Iraq, Pope Francis arrived at the Hosh al-Bieaa centre in Mosul where he prayed, amidst the ruins and along with the people of Iraq, for all the victims of war in the country and throughout the entirety of the Middle East.
Iraq declares 6 March ‘National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence’
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has announced that 6 March will become a ‘National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence’ in Iraq. The announcement came after the historic encounter in Najaf between Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani and Pope Francis and the interreligious meeting in the ancient city of Ur later that day.
“Love is our strength,” says Pope Francis at first ever Papal Mass in the Chaldean Rite
The first celebration of Holy Mass of Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq focused on the need to live a life shaped by the Beatitudes – the eight teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount that fulfil God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants.
Pope in Iraq: Believers of all religions must “turn instruments of hatred into instruments of peace”
Pope Francis met with leaders and representatives of religions at Ur, the ancient Iraqi city believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham.
The importance of the Pope’s meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani
Cardinal Nichols and Maulana Syed Ali Raza Rizvi explain the importance of the Pope’s meeting with the leader of the Shia community in Najaf, Iraq
Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani in Najaf
Statement by the Director of the Holy See’s Press Office regarding the visit of Pope Francis to Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani in Najaf
On Saturday morning, 6 March 2021, in Najaf, the Holy Father met Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani.
Hate, violence and shedding blood “incompatible with authentic religious teachings,” says Pope in Iraq
Pope Francis, speaking in the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad where 48 worshippers were killed in a terrorist attack in 2010, acknowledged that daily hardship is a reality for Iraq’s Christians.
Pope to Iraq’s President: “I come as a pilgrim of peace in the name of Christ
Pope Francis has arrived in Baghdad to start an historic four-day visit to Iraq – the first of any Pope to the country.
The Catholic Church celebrates Easter Monday under the title ‘Monday of the Angel
On Easter Monday, the Catholic Church celebrates what’s called “Monday of the Angel.” In many countries in Europe and South America, this day, also known as “Little Easter,” is a national holiday.
Shroud of Turin to go on virtual display for Holy Saturday
For the second time, the Shroud of Turin will be exposed for veneration on social media and websites on Holy Saturday, the archbishop of Turin has announced.
Cardinal Grech to Irish bishops: ‘A synodal process promises an ecclesial springtime
Cardinal Mario Grech told Irish bishops that embarking on a “synodal process” could lead to an “ecclesial springtime.”
Pope Francis entrusts Iraq trip to Virgin Mary’s protection
On the eve of his departure for a three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis visited a Rome basilica to ask for the Virgin Mary’s intercession and protection on his travels.
Pope Francis will bless this Virgin Mary statue desecrated by Islamic State
The restored Marian statue damaged by Islamic State during its occupation of Karamles, Iraq. Photo credits: Rocchi/SIR. Iraqi Catholics have asked Pope Francis to bless …
Pope Francis says he is coming to Iraq as ‘a pilgrim of peace’
A day before he departs for Baghdad, Pope Francis sent a video message to the Iraqi people, saying that he was coming to Iraq as “a pilgrim of peace.”
Qaraqosh is ready, says Syriac Catholic Archbishop in northern Iraq
Archbishop Nizar Semaan Credit: CBCEW Just 24 hours before Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq – the first of any pope to the country – …
Bishop McKinney disturbed by allegations of labour exploitation in some Leicester clothing factories
Statement from the Catholic Diocese of Nottingham on allegations concerning Boohoo’s employment practices in Leicester factories
The Bishop of Nottingham has welcomed reports that an official inquiry is due to be launched into allegations of modern slavery.
Pope Francis to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines with Mass
Pope Francis will offer Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on 14 March to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines.
Pope Francis prays for a renewal of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is for a renewed experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In his video for the prayer intention, created by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the pope asked for prayers that the Sacrament of Reconciliation would be experienced “with renewed depth, to taste the forgiveness and infinite mercy of God.”