Pope’s visit to Iraq a symbol of hope: President Biden

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — US president Joe Biden hailed the papal visit to Iraq as “a symbol of hope” for the world as the pope finished his historic visit to the country.

“To see Pope Francis visit ancient religious sites, including the biblical birthplace of Abraham, spend time with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, and offer prayers in Mosul — a city that only a few years ago endured the depravity and intolerance of a group like ISIS — is a symbol of hope for the entire world,” the president said on Monday in an official statement  published by the White House.

 “Pope Francis’ visit was a historic and welcome first for the country,” he said, including a quote from Pope Francis himself: “that hope is more powerful than death, that peace more powerful than war.”

Biden’s statement comes after the pontiff bade farewell to Iraq on Monday morning, marking the end of the first papal visit to the country.

The pope visited Baghdad, Nasiriyah and Najaf, where he met with Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who rarely accepts visitors, before heading north to Mosul, Qaraqosh and Erbil, where he held mass for 10,000 people. 

During an in-flight press conference on the way to Rome, the pontiff said meeting with Sistani “was a universal message” and a dutiful pilgrimage, and that the meeting “did good to my soul.”

“He is a beacon of light, and these wise men are everywhere because God's wisdom has been scattered all over the world,” he added.

“Iraq will always remain in my heart. I ask all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to work together, united for a future of peace and prosperity that leaves no one behind and discriminates against no one. I assure you of my prayers for this beloved country,” the pontiff tweeted on Monday.