Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid met with the head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis in the Vatican after a controversial dispute earlier this year with the head of the Chaldean Church.
According to a statement released by the president’s office, Rashid and Pope Francis discussed the situation of Christians in Iraq with the president saying they are a “key component in the building of the country, its progress and prosperity.”
Read MoreFor decades now, Mosul’s Christians haven’t been able to worship in their churches because their city was racked with insecurity and violence. But on Sunday, April 2, 2023, Holy Mass was celebrated at the Monastery of Saint Michael for the first time in more than 20 years. It was officiated by Archbishop Najib Mikhael Moussa, who was overjoyed to be able to conduct the service there.
Read MoreBetween the fall of 2021 and the fall of 2022, 5,621 Christians were killed, 4,542 were arrested, and 5,259 were kidnapped around the world, according to the Christian international network Open Doors. In addition, over 2,000 churches and church buildings were the target of violence. Almost one in seven Christians worldwide were persecuted, with those in the Middle East bearing the brunt of the hatred.
Read MoreA first communion mass was held in April in the St. George’s Chaldean Church in Iraq which was destroyed by the Islamic State in 2014 and rebuilt through the Hungary Helps Program.
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