Vatican urges visiting Iraqi president to protect Christians

Barham Salih's office said he and the pope discussed a papal visit to Iraq, but said only that it was 'scheduled to be paid at a later date'

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. EPA, HO

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. AFP

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. EPA, HO

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. EPA, HO

Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. EPA, HO

epa08163284 A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis receiving the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih during a private audience at the Vatican, 25 January 2020. EPA/VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The Vatican on Saturday urged Iraqi President Barham Salih to guarantee the safety of Christians and ensure they have a future place in the war-battered country.

Mr Salih met with Pope Francis, the Vatican secretary of state and foreign minister during back-to-back audiences on his second visit to the Vatican.

Mr Salih's office said he and the pope discussed a papal visit to Iraq, but said only that it was "scheduled to be paid at a later date."

Francis had expressed hope of visiting Iraq this year, but no trip was ever confirmed and it's unclear if it will be given the turmoil unleashed by the US drone strike on Iraqi soil that killed a top Iranian general.

The attack provoked the ire of Iraqi officials and led to the passing of a non-binding resolution by Iraqi lawmakers to oust US troops.

The Holy See said the meetings focused on promoting peace and security in Iraq, especially for Christian minorities, many of whom have fled communities that date from the time of Christ to escape persecution by Islamic State militants.

In a statement, the Vatican said the meetings covered the "importance of preserving the historical presence of Christians in the country, of which they are an integral part, and the significant contribution they bring to the reconstruction of the social fabric, highlighting the need to guarantee their security and a place in the future of Iraq."

Mr Salih's office said peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians was the only way to eradicate extremism.

The Vatican hinted at the rising tensions stemming from the US drone attack, saying the discussions underlined the need for the international community to "re-establish trust and peaceful co-existence."

During the meeting, Mr Salih gave Francis a replica of the Code of Hammurabi, the ancient set of Babylonian laws, calling it a "symbol of peace."

Francis, for his part, gave Mr Salih a medallion and a set of his major teaching documents, including one on Christian-Muslim fraternity. He told Mr Salih he wanted an Iraqi identity card identifying him as a descendant of Abraham, a figure common to Christianity, Islam and Judaism.