Iraq: Catholics begin prayer for Pope's visit

Great Al-Tahira Church, Qaraqosh - Jako Klamer/ACN

Source: Vatican News

Churches across Iraq recited a prayer today, Sunday, 17 January, written by Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako in preparation for the visit of Pope Francis which is planned for 5-8 March.

Millions died in the wars with Iran (1980-88) the wars with US-led coalition (1990-91 and 2003-2011) and the 'Islamic State' (2014-17). There are still tensions along the border with Syria and within, from Nasiriyah to the area of Mosul. Thousands of corpses continue to be unearthed from mass graves in Mosul, indicating the extent of terrorism that reigned there under the terror of the Islamic State.

Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Patriarch the Chaldean Catholic Church and Archbishop of Bagdad has welcomed the visit saying: "We have been living in fear for some time, but also in hope." He described it as a sign of rebirth for the country, "a new Christmas."

Cardinal Sako has composed the following prayer which will be recited during Masses every Sunday:

Lord our God, grant Pope Francis health and safety to carry out successfully this eagerly awaited visit. Bless his effort to promote dialogue, enhance fraternal reconciliation, build confidence, consolidate peace values and human dignity, especially for us Iraqis who have been through painful "events" that affected our lives.

Lord and Creator, enlighten our hearts with Your light, to recognize goodness and peace, and to realize them.

Mother Mary, we entrust Pope Francis' visit to your maternal care so that the Lord may grant us the grace of living in full national communion, and to cooperate fraternally to build a better future for our country and our citizens. Amen.

In a letter to the Iraqi people, the Patriarch asks them to prepare adequately for the visit. He explained that the Pope was not coming on a "tourist" or "luxury" trip but will be on a pilgrimage, bearing a message of comfort "for all at a time of uncertainty". "We must make it an opportunity for a great change so that faith and hope in us become a commitment," he wrote.

Preparations are also underway in the northern city of Qaraqosh, which Pope Francis is scheduled to visit. On Thursday a new statue of Our Lady was placed on top of the Syrian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception which was desecrated and burned by IS during their occupation. Parish priest Father Paul Thabit Mekko said IS destroyed and devastated homes, churches, the library and other cultural heritage sites. Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee.

Thanks to support from Christian charities and other organisations, the Christian community is returning. The library reopened in September. The Church in Qaraqosh has been rebuilt. Local Christian artist, Thabit Michael has made a new a statue of Our Lady to place on the bell tower. He has also made statues for the church in Karamles and the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baghdad.

Father Mekko said: "Thabit Michael is not only a true artist but also a Christian devoted to his land, who wants to revive it also through his works."