Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Pope Francis leads Sunday prayers in ruins of bombed Iraq church

Pope Francis leads Sunday prayers in ruins of bombed Iraq church

Pope Francis has led Sunday prayers from the ruins of an Iraqi cathedral destroyed by the Islamic State.

The Catholic leader addressed Christians near to a ransacked church in Mosul, which became a stronghold for the terrorist group before it was defeated.

Speaking to a packed Church of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis stressed ‘forgiveness’ as a key word for Christians.

The historic mass came after IS seized northern and western Iraq in 2014 and used Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, as a major base. Christians who lived there suffered a host of human rights abuses at the group’s hands.

Surrounded by the grey, hollowed-out shells of four churches that were almost destroyed during the war, the Pope said: ‘The road to a full recovery may still be long, but I ask you, please, not to grow discouraged.

‘What is needed is the ability to forgive, but also the courage not to give up.’

He added: ‘How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilisation, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people – Muslims, Christians, Yazidis – who were cruelly annihilated by terrorism – and others forcibly displaced or killed.’

The Pope addressed a crowd at the square near the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mosul


There had been fears that the gathering could spread coronavirus in the area, despite the service taking place outside.

Then he deviated from his prepared speech to address the plight of Iraq’s Yazidi minority, which was subjected to mass killings, abductions and sexual slavery at the hands of IS.

He continued: ‘Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace more powerful than war.’

The Pope’s visit was intended to encourage Christians to return to and to stay in Iraq, where Christian communities have existed for thousands of years.

Before the US-led invasion of the country some 1.5 million Christians lived there. During the war, IS forced people to choose between conversion, death or paying a special tax for non-Muslims.

Many public health officials worried about the coronavirus dangers of people gathering to meet the pope

The Pope held a minute of silence at a destroyed cathedral in Mosul

Francis released a white dove, the symbol of hope, while he addressed followers in Iraw


The war forced thousands to flee, leaving behind homes and churches that were destroyed or commandeered by the group, and today there are just a few hundred thousand Christians in Iraq.

Pope Francis says he wants to help the remaining Christians stay and help rebuild the country and restore what he called its ‘intricately designed carpet’ of faith and ethnic groups.

It took a ferocious nine-month battle to finally free the city of Mosul in July 2017, during which time between 9,000 and 11,000 civilians were killed, according to an AP investigation at the time.

Is leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was killed in a US raid in Syria in 2019.

The war left a trail of destruction in Mosul and the north, and many Iraqis have been left on their own to rebuild amid a long financial crisis.



Pope Francis enjoyed a four-day trip in Iraq to encourage Christians to stay in the country and help rebuild it


The Reverend Raed Kallo was among the few Christians who returned to Mosul after IS was defeated.

He added: ‘My Muslim brothers received me after the liberation of the city with great hospitality and love.’

Before IS, he had a parish of 500 Christian families. Most emigrated abroad, and now only 70 families remain.

But he said: ‘Today I live among two million Muslims who call me their Father Raed.’

Gutayba Aagha, the Muslim head of the Independent Social and Cultural Council for the Families of Mosul, encouraged other Christians to return.

The Pope conducted Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, as the last stop in his trip

The Pope also had a historic meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani


‘In the name of the council I invite all our Christian brothers to return to this, their city, their properties and their businesses,’ he said.

Pope Francis delivered similar messages when he visited nearby Qaraqosh, saying: ‘Forgiveness is necessary to remain in love, to remain Christian.’

During the Pope’s four-day trip he also held a historic meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

The trip grew criticism for going ahead during the pandemic. Although Francis has been vaccinated, Iraq only received its first batch of vaccine supply last week.

At the Pope’s last event, addressing thousands at a stadium in Irbil, he said Iraq would stay in his heart.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
×