‘Let the guns fall silent’: Pope Francis shares message of hope on Iraq visit

Head of the Roman Catholic Church on four-day trip that takes in Iraq's historic and religious sites

Pope Francis gestures as he boards a plane to depart for Rome, at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad. Reuters

Cardinals and ranking Catholic clergymen board the Alitalia Airbus A330 aircraft as Pope Francis bids farewell to other bishops and Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh before departing from the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International. AFP

Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh escort Pope Francis during the farewell ceremony for the pontiff at the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International Airport. AFP

Pope Francis meets Abdullah Kurdi, father of little Alan, who was shipwrecked with his brother and mother on the Turkish coast in September 2015 while he was trying to reach Europe with his family, at the end of a Mass in the Erbil Stadium. EPA

Nuns cheer and dance at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Getty Images

A baby dressed in papal outfit during a mass with Pope Francis at the Erbil Stadium. EPA

Nuns take a selfie after the completion of a mass conducted by Pope Francis. Getty Images

People carry umbrellas as they celebrate after a mass led by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters

Pope Francis conducts mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images

Monks pray during a mass conducted by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images

Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Virgin Mary at a mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. EPA

Pope Francis walks with an incense censer as he leads mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP

Pope Francis blesses people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP

Pope Francis arrives on the popemobile to celebrate Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AP Photo

Nuns wave flags of Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP

A faithful waits for Pope Francis to hold Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. Reuters

Pope Francis blessing people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP

Young women dressed in traditional Kurdish clothing wave flags of the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP

Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters

Pope Francis is greeted by people as he arrives at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. AFP

Pope Francis arrives at a meeting with local residents at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. AP Photo

Pope Francis visits the town before holding a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters

Pope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters

Pope Francis rides in a golf cart at the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP

A nun kisses the hand of Pope Francis during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters

Pope Francis arrives to pray for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's old city. Reuters

Pope Francis attends a prayer for the victims of the war at Church Square, Mosul. EPA

Pope Francis and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani viewing a gift sculpture of a Chaldean cross during their meeting in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region. AFP

Pope Francis meeting with the President of the autonomous Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government Mansour Barzani, and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani in Arbil. AFP

Pope Francis greets Iraqis dressed in traditional outfits upon his arrival at Erbil airport, in the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP

Pope Francis walks with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan region, and President of the Kurdistan region in Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, upon his arrival at Erbil International Airport. Reuters

Iraqi women dressed in traditional outfits hold palm leafs as they welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival at Erbil airport. AFP

Mansour Barzani, Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government looks on , as Pope Francis greets religious dignitaries at the Erbil airport. AFP

Pope Francis arrives at Erbil International Airport in Iraq. Reuters

Pope Francis is welcomed at Erbil International Airport in Erbil. Reuters

Pope Francis greets people as he leave the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Getty Images

Pope Francis leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

Iraqi Christian worshippers attend the mass led by the Pope at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

Pope Francis greeted by children upon his arrival for a mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

Pope Francis blesses the congregation as he leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

Pope Francis arrives to lead mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

Pope Francis is greeted by children upon his arrival at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP

People take pictures with their mobiles upon the arrival of Pope Francis. Reuters

Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. EPA

Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA

Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA

Pope Francis is seen behind flowers at an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA

Pope Francis smiles and waves at a women that threw a kiss to him. Haider Husseini/ The National

People attend an inter-religious ceremony in Ur near Nassiriya. Reuters

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani meeting with Pope Francis and his delegation, at his home in the holy city of Najaf. AFP

Pope Francis, accompanied by clerics, and Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, meet in Najaf. Courtesy of the Vatican

Pope Francis's meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, in Najaf, followed months of negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican. Reuters

Pope Francis smiles with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

The Pope visits Our Lady of Salvation Church. Courtesy of the Prime Minister office

Pope Francis is welcomed upon his arrival at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AP Photo

Pope Francis speaks in the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP

Pope Francis greets people in front of the the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP

Nuns welcome Pope Francis at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP

Iraq's President Barham Salih speaks with Pope Francis during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidental Palace in Baghdad. Reuters

Iraqi President Barham Salih welcomes Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. AFP

Pope Francis walk with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

Pope Francis talks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival in Baghdad. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

Pope Francis walks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

Pope Francis walks alongside Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi upon his arrival in Baghdad. AFP

Pope Francis waves to the crowd upon his arrival in Baghdad. Reuters

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the plane heading to Iraq. AP Photo

Pope Francis waves as he boards the plane for his visit to Iraq, at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. Reuters

People holding Iraqi and Vatican flags as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, at Baghdad Airport Road, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

A Christian woman holds the Vatican flag as she heads to the airport to wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Pope Francis on Friday called for an end to violence in Iraq as he arrived in the country for a historic visit.

The 84-year-old pontiff said he is making the trip, which has been planned for several years, as a "pilgrim of peace".

"Let the guns fall silent,” he said during a speech at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.

The Pope said his trip to the "cradle of civilisation" was "long-awaited'.

“Enough violence, enough polarisation ... let us help the citizens who want to build this nation,” he said.

Pope Francis delivers his speech during a meeting with bishops and priests, at the Our Lady of Salvation Church, in Baghdad. AP Photo

Our Lady of Salvation Church, a Syriac Catholic Church, was the scene of a deadly Al Qaeda attack that occurred within the church's walls 11 years ago. AFP

People listen as Pope Francis speaks during a visit to the Our Lady of Salvation Church. Reuters

Forty-eight were killed, including two priests, in an October 31, 2010 attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq, an offshoot of Al Qaeda. AFP

"We are gathered in this Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation, hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters who here paid the ultimate price for their fidelity to the Lord and his church," said the Pope. AFP

Pope Francis was joined by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and head of the Chaldean Catholic Church. AP Photo

Pope Francis walks through the Our Lady of Salvation Church. Reuters

Pope Francis receives flowers are he arrives at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. Reuters

A motorcade carrying Pope Francis arrives at Our Lady of Salvation Church. EPA

On the first papal trip to Iraq, the Pope urged the country to "combat [the] scourge of corruption, [and] promote justice."

He also asked the international community "not to withdraw their outstretched hand of friendship from the Iraqi people".

Iraqi President Barham Salih and his wife, Sarbagh Salih, warmly welcomed the Pope to the palace.

"Iraqis are proud of their long history of religious coexistence between the various sects," Mr Salih said.

Iraq has 14 recognised Christian sects, but two decades of back-to-back conflicts left ancient Christian communities that were once a vibrant and integral part of the landscape scattered and in ruins.

"Christians in Iraq have endured so much in the last decade. Their exodus continues, and many have left their homes and the country, which will have severe consequences for the future of the state," he said.

"We cannot have the region without any Christians," Mr Salih told a room of Iraqi officials, civil society members and the diplomatic corps

Earlier on Friday, Pope Francis arrived in Baghdad after a four-and-half-hour journey from Rome in an Alitalia Airbus 330 carrying his entourage and journalists.

Buffeted by strong winds, the pontiff descended the steps from the plane to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

The Pope is welcomed by Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

Pope Francis smiles with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq

Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad on his first visit to Iraq. Pope Francis began his historic trip to war-scarred Iraq, defying security concerns and the coronavirus pandemic to comfort one of the world's oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.

Pope Francis is received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi upon disembarking from his plane at Baghdad International Airport to start his historic tour in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Pope Francis disembarks a plane as he arrives at Baghdad International Airport. Reuters

Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad on his first visit to Iraq. Pope Francis began his historic trip to war-scarred Iraq, defying security concerns and the coronavirus pandemic to comfort one of the world's oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.

Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad. Reuters

Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad on his first visit to Iraq. Pope Francis began his historic trip to war-scarred Iraq, defying security concerns and the coronavirus pandemic to comfort one of the world's oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the aeroplane heading to Iraq. AP Photo

A plane carrying Pope Francis arrives at Baghdad International Airport to start his historic tour ofIraq. Reuters

Both wore face masks and chatted as they walked the red carpet leading to a welcoming ceremony inside the airport, where musicians played a new song written specially for the Pope's arrival.

The two men were all smiles as they walked through the performance of traditional Iraqi songs and dances while flag-waving spectators lined the hall.

"We, the Iraqi people and government, look forward to welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis. Mesopotamia has always been and will remain a historic meeting place for common human values," Mr Al Kadhimi said on Twitter before the Pope's arrival.

"Welcome to the land of Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, the land of prophets and civilisations," he said.

The Pope also met with Iraq’s Christian leaders in the capital later on Friday, including at the Our Lady of Salvation church, where dozens of people were killed in a terrorist attack in 2010.

He said a prayer for those who lost their lives.

"We are gathered in this Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation, hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters who here paid the ultimate price for their fidelity to the Lord and his church," the Pope said.

"May the memory of their sacrifice inspire us to renew our own trust in the power of the cross and it's saving message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and rebirth," he said.

The pontiff called on Iraqis to ensure they have "one prayer, one mind, one hope" to achieve unity and peace.

The death of worshippers is a "powerful reminder that inciting war, hateful attitudes, violence, or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teachings", he said.

The Pope then led a prayer with Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, before leaving. The convoy then made a brief stop at the Vatican embassy in the capital.

On Saturday morning, the Pope will visit Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, the Shiite leader in Iraq, in the city of Najaf and later attend an interreligious meeting at the ancient site of Ur.

He will visit the north of the country on Sunday, celebrating Mass in Erbil and saying prayers in Mosul, before departing on March 8.

There will be a farewell ceremony in Baghdad before the Pope leaves for Rome.

Christians in Iraq trace their roots back to the beginning of the faith. But after the US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the rise of violence that resulted in civil war, the size of the community has decreased tremendously.

An estimated million Christians left Iraq in the past decade.

It is difficult to know the exact number of Christians still living in the country after years of war and conflict in which many were either killed or had to flee to other countries.

There are about 500,000 Christians left in Iraq, Cardinal Sako  told The National. At one point, Christians represented 20 per cent of the Iraqi population, but the proportion dropped to 10 per cent and is now a mere 2 per cent, he said.

Iraqis are hoping the Pope’s visit will encourage Iraqi Christians to return home or strengthen the will of those still there to stay in the country.