(July 25, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI and Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki
on Friday condemned the violence that is destroying Iraq and called for greater dialogue,
understanding and coexistence among the various religious and ethnic communities.
Pope Benedict XVI on received visiting Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Kamel Al-Maliki,
at his summer residence of Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, and the two held talks on
several issues. A Vatican statement said they reviewed some of fundamental aspects
of the situation in Iraq, including the regional context. Special attention was
given to the problem of the large number of Iraqi refugees, both inside as well as
outside the country, who need help… Both the leaders condemned the violence that
continues to hit the various parts of the country almost on a daily basis, without
sparing the Christian communities, who strongly feel the need for greater security.
Pope Benedict and Al-Maliki hoped that Iraq will be able to decisively find the road
to peace and development through dialogue and collaboration among all the ethnic and
religious groups, including minorities, who respectful of individual identities and
in a spirit of reconciliation and search for common good, will together contribute
to the moral and civil reconstruction of the country. In this regard, the importance
of inter-religious dialogue was stressed as a way to religious understanding and civil
coexistence. During the meeting, Iraqi prime minister invited the Pope to visit his
country. Prior to meeting the Pope, Al-Maliki held talks with Vatican Secretary
of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States,
Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.