Pope urges Iraqi Christians to forgive, rebuild

7/3/2021 19:17

        Pope Francis is urging Iraq's long-suffering Christians to forgive the injustices committed against them by Muslim extremists and to continue persevering to rebuild the country after years of war and sectarian conflicts.
        
        Francis issued the appeal during a joyful visit to the Christian community of Qaraqosh, on the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq. The city was overrun by the Islamic State group in the summer of 2014, and only a fraction of the families have returned.
        
        Speaking to a packed Church of the Immaculate Conception, Francis said "forgiveness" is a key word for Christians. "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."