Let Arms Go Silent And Fight Corruption: Pope

Pope asks Iraqi officials to ‘combat the scourge of corruption,’ calls Yazidis ‘innocent victims of senseless atrocities,’ honours massacre victims at Baghdad church; Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Council of Muslim Elders praise courageous visit.

BAGHDAD

Pope Francis began his most risky foreign trip on Friday, flying into Iraq amid the tightest security ever seen for a papal visit to appeal to the country’s leaders and people to end militant violence and religious strife, saying peacemakers should finally be given a chance.

“May the clash of arms be silenced ... may there be an end to acts of violence and extremism,” he said, addressing Iraqi President Barham Salih, politicians and diplomats at the presidential palace.

Francis added that authorities must “combat the scourge of corruption, misuse of power and disregard for law.”

The country has deployed thousands of security personnel to protect him during the visit, which comes after a spate of rocket and suicide bomb attacks and a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Council of Muslim Elders, praised the visit of Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, to Iraq describing it as “historic and courageous.”