NOURNEWS - Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, met with Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani at the residence of the supreme authority of the Iraqi Shiites in Najaf Ashraf.
Following this morning's meeting between Pope Francis, the Catholic leader of the world, and Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf, the Iraqi Supreme Authority published a statement on the issues raised during the meeting.
It is mentioned in this statement:
The meeting focused on the great challenges facing humanity in this era and the role of faith in God Almighty, messages and commitment to high moral values in overcoming these challenges.
Ayatollah Sistani spoke on injustice, oppression, poverty, religious and intellectual persecution, suppression of fundamental freedoms and social injustice, especially wars, violence, economic blockade and displacement of many people in our region and other parts of the world, especially the people of Palestine in the territories occupied by Zionists.
He pointed to the role that great religious and spiritual leaders must play in curbing these catastrophes and what can be done to persuade the parties concerned, especially the great powers, to prioritize reason and wisdom and opposition to the language of war, expansionism in their inherent interests at the expense of the people's right of life, freedom and dignity.
The Iraqi High Authority also stressed the importance of concerted efforts to strengthen the values of harmony, peaceful coexistence and human solidarity in all societies, based on fostering rights and mutual respect among followers of different religions and intellectual tendencies.
Ayatollah Sistani, mentioning the glorious status and history of Iraq and its various affiliations, expressed hope that Iraq would overcome its current tragedy in the not-too-distant future
He emphasized his commitment to Christian citizens who, like all Iraqis, live in security and peace and in full accordance with their fundamental rights, and emphasized the role that religious authorities play in protecting them and all those who have been oppressed in the events of recent years, especially during the period when terrorists occupied large areas in several Iraqi provinces and committed criminal acts there.
The Supreme Authority of Iraq wishes good luck and happiness to the Pope, the followers of the Catholic Church and the general public, and thanked him for his efforts in traveling to Najaf for this visit.
NOURNEWS