[ad_1]
His Holiness, Pope Francis, met with the Shiite authority in Iraq, Sayyid al-Sistani, in the city of Najaf.
Shiite Supreme Cleric Ali al-Sistani assured Pope Francis, “His interest in Christian citizens living like all Iraqis in security and peace and in full respect of their constitutional rights,” according to a statement issued by his office after the meeting that brought them together in Najaf.
For its part, the Vatican said in a statement that “Pope Francis discussed with Sistani cooperation between all religions and dialogue for the good of Iraq and the good of the region.”
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest religious authority for many Shiites in Iraq and the world, today received Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics in the world, in the holy city of Najaf.
With this one-hour closed-door meeting, the Pope extended his hand to Shiite Islam, after he signed a document on “human brotherhood” two years ago with the Imam of Al-Azhar, one of the most prominent institutions of the Sunni sect. Country, while the media could not attend the meeting.
In some streets of Najaf, paintings were erected with images of Pope Francis and Ayatollah Al-Sistani, with the English phrase “the historic meeting”.
In a related context, the Vatican confirmed in a statement issued by him and said: “Pope Francis thanked the Shiite cleric, Ali Sistani, for speaking out in defense of the most vulnerable.”
Source: An-Nahar
[ad_2]
