Pope Leo XIV to Iraqi Christians: Be Christ’s light in challenging times
Pope Leo XIV has urged Iraqi Christians to be the light of Christ amid worsening persecution and insecurity.
In a video message published by the Vatican on July 8 for the Ankawa Youth Meeting in Ankawa, Iraq, the pope greeted the young Christians present and encouraged them to trust in God during these challenging times for the country.
“Dear young people, never doubt the goodness of God, and do not be afraid of the plan the Lord has for each of your lives,” Leo said in the video message. “The prophet Jeremiah also had to face difficult moments, and he bears witness that the Lord’s plans are ‘for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope’ (Jer 29:11).”
Prolonged Christian persecution and emigration from Iraq Iraq continues to experience sectarian violence and terrorist attacks, forcing waves of Christians to emigrate. As reported by ACI MENA , the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, and the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Baghdad, two-thirds of Christians have left the country, with most fleeing to the United States and Australia.
The report also states that since the Iraq War in 2003, the Christian population has declined from 1.5 million to…
