Chaldean Patriarch invites Pope to Iraq

March 22, 20123 - The Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church based in Iraq has invited Pope Francis to visit his country. "I invited him to visit us in Iraq. The pontiff said he looks forward to visiting our country, which is also where Abraham began his journey. His visit would inspire us with courage and hope," Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako told AsiaNews after meeting the Pope on Thursday in the Vatican. He said he invited him to confirm them in their faith. The prelate said he was "struck by the pope's simplicity and spontaneity" and concern for the tragic fate of Iraqi Christians. "When I told him that our land had to endure 950 martyrs and 57 church attacks, he said: 'I feel pain for you,’” the Patriarch said. Pope Francis enquired about Patriarch Sako’s diocese and vocations in Iraq, that is tormented by ten years of violence and conflict between Shias and Sunnis. The Holy Father urged prayers for himself, and the two ended their meeting by praying the Our Father and Hail Mary for Iraq. (Source: AsiaNews)