Pope Francis and Iraq's top Shia cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence Saturday, urging Muslims in the war-weary Arab nation to embrace Iraq's long-beleaguered Christian minority during an historic meeting in the holy city of Najaf. The historic meeting in al-Sistani's humble home was months in the making, with every detail painstakingly discussed and negotiated between the ayatollah's office and the Vatican. Pope Francis arrives to meet with the Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq on Saturday. In a statement issued by his office after the meeting, al-Sistani affirmed that Christians should "live like all Iraqis, in security and peace and with full constitutional rights." WATCH | Pope Francis visits Iraq in his first trip during the pandemic:Pope Francis visits Iraq in his first trip during the pandemic The National 2:04 Pope Francis is on a historic visit to Iraq despite the global pandemic.

Source: CBC News March 06, 2021 09:56 UTC