Pope Francis visit to Iraq portrays concept of coexistence, Barham Salih says

The Iraqi president said Iraqis 'deserve better than what is offered to them today' in an interview with Sky News Arabia

Pope Francis is accompanied by Iraq's President Barham Salih and his wife Sarbagh Salih before departing for Rome, at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad, Iraq March 8, 2021. Vatican Media/?Handout via REUTERS    ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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Pope Francis' visit to Iraq portrayed that people want to live in peace and coexistence, Iraq's President Barham Salih said on Tuesday.
The pontiff wrapped up a historic four day trip to the country last week where he met with Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, held an interfaith meeting with representatives of Iraq's religious groups and prayers for victims of war in Mosul.

"It was a moment of joy for all Iraqis, to feel united, Iraq is land of civilisations. It has gone through the storms of war and hatred but the concept of pluralism and coexistence remained," Mr Salih said in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

“The Pope’s visit confirmed that,” he said.

The international community associates Iraq with violence, death and problems but the Pontiff’s visit showed that “people want to live.”

“Iraqis deserve better than what is offered to them today, Iraq is an important country,” Mr Salih said.

The President said Pope Francis was overwhelmed with joy upon arrival at Baghdad's airport where he was welcomed with a reception of traditional songs and dance.

Mr Salih described the meeting between Mr Sistani and Pope Francis as a “summit of moderation and tolerance.”

He said the two figures represent an approach to moderation, dialogue and coexistence, which will have a positive impact on efforts towards an interfaith dialogue.

“Pope Francis praised Mr Al Sistani, describing him as the man of God and the wise, and stressed the need to communicate with him in order to serve humanity."

The pontiff held prayers for victims of war and called for "harmonious coexistence" of people from different backgrounds and cultures at a square overlooking the ruins of the Syro-Catholic Church in Mosul’s Old City.

Once an ISIS stronghold, the whole city has been completely destroyed in 2017, during the nine-months long battle over its control.

Thousands were killed and displaced during the battle to recapture Mosul from ISIS, which controlled the city between 2014 and 2017.

Mr Salih said that people are returning back home to Mosul after fleeing ISIS’s brutal rule.

The president acknowledged that conditions are difficult, while at the same time the return of displaced people has been organised in a better manner.

Iraq must be an independent and sovereign state in order for stability and security to prosper, Mr Salih said.