AdvertisementShia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani today told Pope Francis that Iraq's Christian citizens should live in 'peace and security' during a landmark meeting. Following the discussion, Pope Francis travelled to the ruins of Ur in southern Iraq, revered as the birthplace of Abraham, father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. During his address, Pope Francis said freedom of conscience and of religion were 'fundamental rights' that should be respected everywhere. Following the prayer service in Ur, Pope Francis is to head back to Baghdad to preside over a mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral. Pope Francis is the first to visit Iraq, after Pope John Paul II had to cancel a trip in 2000 when talks with the Government of then-leader Saddam Hussein broke down.

Source: Daily Mail March 06, 2021 08:25 UTC