The Pope Meets Shiite Leader in Iraq, Urges 'Peaceful Coexistence'

Pope Francis met with Catholic clergy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, on the 5th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Pope Francis, who visited Iraq for the first time in Catholic history, met with the Islamic Shia leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, AP News reported on the 6th (local time).

According to AP News, the Pope met with al-Sistani in Najaf that day, delivering a message of peaceful coexistence and urging Muslims to embrace the Christian minority in Iraq.

The meeting between al-Sistani and Pope Francis was broadcast live on local TV. The Pope arrived at Baghdad International Airport the previous day and met with high-ranking local officials including Iraqi President Barham Salih. At that meeting, the Pope stated, "Violence, extremism, factionalism, and narrow-minded behavior must stop."

Later that afternoon, he visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad. This visit marks the first time in 2000 years of Catholic history that a Pope has visited Iraq.