蜜桃交友

By Barbara Castelli

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, arrived in Iraq on Monday and will be there until Friday. Bishop Shlemon Warduni, auxiliary bishop of Baghdad told Pope that his visit is a very welcome one, 鈥渆specially in these days in which we recall the birth of the Saviour鈥�.

Cardinal Parolin鈥檚 schedule

While in Iraq, Cardinal Parolin will meet members of the Iraqi government and representatives of the Oriental Churches. He concelebrated the Christmas Vigil Mass with the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in the Karrada district. Cardinal Parolin is also scheduled to visit the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation. There in 2010, a terrorist commando killed dozens of faithful and two priests. The Cardinal will also visit other places symbolic of Baghdad as well as charitable organizations.

On 26 December, Cardinal Pietro Parolin will go to Erbil, where he will meet representatives of the government of the autonomous province of Iraqi Kurdistan. From there he will depart for a visit to the Nineveh Plain and celebrate Holy Mass in the town of Qaraqosh.

Christians are leaving the Middle East

Prior to Cardinal Parolin鈥檚 arrival, Bishop Shlemon Warduni pointed out that Cardinal Parolin鈥檚 visit represents a sign of encouragement for all Christians in Iraq, a presence that unfortunately is becoming increasingly smaller. 鈥淎lmost a million Christians have left Iraq 鈥� a nation that has seen the presence of Christians for over two thousand years鈥�, he explained. The bishop denounced the force at work to "empty the Middle East of Christians". At the same time, he points out that the small Christian community 鈥渢rusts in the Lord Jesus鈥� and derives 鈥渢he strength to stay鈥�, from Him in tune with the will of the Heavenly Father.

Iraqis await peace and a visit from Pope Francis

In a world torn by wars, where 鈥渄istance from God鈥� is obvious, 鈥渨here immorality increases鈥� and only 鈥渕oney is sought鈥�, the auxiliary bishop of Baghdad hopes that the love of the Child Jesus will enlighten men and women鈥檚 hearts. He acknowledged that many steps forward have been taken in Iraq and that the situation has improved. But the full peace to which all Iraqis aspire is still lacking. 鈥淲e will pray together with Cardinal Parolin鈥�, Bishop Warduni concluded. 鈥淗e will bring us the blessing of the Holy Father鈥�. He said Christians in Iraq await the moment when they can welcome Pope Francis to Iraq soon.