Pope Francis received Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, with whom he discussed the importance of maintaining the Christians and other minorities in the country, announced the Vatican.
“After discussing their good relations, the parties focused on the Church’s life and the situation of Christians like other minorities in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of their presence and the need to protect their rights” announced a short statement from the Holy See. “It was then question of the place of interreligious dialogue in society and the responsibility of religious communities in spreading tolerance and civil peace,” added the Vatican.
Mr. Abadi also met with Secretary of State of the Vatican, Monsignor Pietro Parolin and the two men “stressed the importance of the reconciliation process in progress” in Iraq and raised the thorny humanitarian issue throughout the region.
The Argentine pontiff, who had received late January Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in urging him to work for peace in the Middle East, had on Sunday launched a heartfelt appeal for the tens of thousands of civilians fleeing fighting in northern Syria .
Stéphane © armenews.com