President Barham Salih welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis’ initiative and intention to visit Iraq next year, remembering his meeting with His Holiness and the Pope’s support for Iraq's pursuit to promote the security of its communities and consolidate peace and stability among all Iraqi.
His Excellency received the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael I Sako, at the Presidential Office in Baghdad on Thursday, June 13, 2019.
The President indicated that His Holiness’ visit is of historic importance for all spectra of the Iraqi people and for the Christians in particular.
The President highlighted the importance of the Christians’ role in building Iraq, for they are indigenous people of this country and have contributed to its development and civilization.
For his part, Cardinal Sako expressed his appreciation and value for President Salih’s role in supporting the Christians, and His Excellency’s diligent pursuit to strengthen the bonds of national unity among all the people of this country.
During the meeting, they discussed preparations to receive His Holiness the Pope in Iraq, as well as the situation in the Nineveh Plain and the importance of achieving stability there and upgrading the services provided to citizens.