journalist ‘s impressions of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq / Article / LSM.lv

Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church last week became the first pope to visit Iraq. This was Francis’ first foreign visit since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and concerns about the pope’s security were heightened by the volatile situation in Iraq. Philip Pullella, a Reuters correspondent who shared the Pope’s visit to Iraq, shared his impressions of the Pope’s visit to Iraq, which he had the opportunity to cover.

Vatican correspondent Pulella admits that during this visit the security measures were the strictest he has ever experienced. “I have been traveling with the popes since 1982, for almost 40 years. This visit was undoubtedly the most stringent security measures. “

Insurgent attacks and rocket fire are still not uncommon in Iraq, and the Iraqi government has deployed 10,000 troops to guarantee Pope Francis’ security.

“A convoy of journalists’ minibuses was escorted by a pickup truck on which machine guns were installed. Such cars accompanied us from both the right and the left. Similar cars were always visible when driving to the airport from our hotel. Battle tanks were also located along the entire route, ”says Pulella.

The person you listen to

In the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Pope Francis met with political leaders and visited the local Christian community. Then he went south, to Najaf, which Shiite Muslims consider to be the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina. Najaf is a destination for Muslim pilgrims, the center of Shiite political power in Iraq. Here, the Pope met with the influential and rarely welcoming Shiite religious leader, Ali as Sistani.

The meeting between the Pope and the Shiite leader sent a strong message to Muslims, both to promote interfaith dialogue and the security of the Iraqi Christian minority. “Sistani Fatwa, his orders and opinions are extremely important for the unification of Iraqi Shiites. He is a person who listens, ”says Pulella.

However, the Pope’s visit was controversial because it took place at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was continuing and the number of infections in Iraq had begun to rise. Pope Francis himself has already been vaccinated against the new coronavirus, but precautionary protocols were in place during the measures in Iraq. True, not always fully complied with. Francis said he had decided to travel to Iraq, aware of the risks.

“Planning had already begun, the season was suitable for the weather, because it will be very hot in Iraq later. Therefore, the Vatican continued to prepare for the visit and it took place. The Pope acknowledged and explained that yes, there were concerns about Covid’s situation. The Vatican left it largely up to the Iraqi government and the Iraqi church: how to ensure precautionary measures against Covid. “

Mosulas brushes

Francis came to Iraq for several reasons. Both to encourage the shrinking Christian community in Iraq and to promote interfaith dialogue, calling for an end to division and intolerance. Francis said he felt obliged to visit Iraq because it had suffered so much.

“Here in Iraq, how many of your brothers and sisters, friends and fellow citizens are carrying wounds of war and violence, both visible and invisible,” the pope said.

Perhaps the most indelible impression on the Pope was his visit to Mosul on Sunday. Once a bastion controlled by the jihadist Islamic State, where terrorists killed both Christians and Muslims who were considered heretics. Destroyed in battles, Mosul has still not recovered. Asked about the brightest moment of the visit, Pulella also answers without hesitation.

“Of the places I have been with the three popes on all their travels, Mosul was the most shocking. How cruel people can be! The whole old town looked as if it had been destroyed ten times by an earthquake.

I have reported earthquakes here in Italy, including the devastating earthquake of 1980. It was like entering an area devastated by an earthquake, but here it was the bombs and terror that destroyed the city. ”

“I think that Pope Francis was also most moved by this experience. It could be seen on his face. “

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