Following the catechesis of today’s general audience, the Pope announced that he would greet a delegation of representatives of the various Iraqi religious groups, accompanied by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The Pope said these groups “constitute the wealth of the country”. He invited all present “to pray for the dear nation of Iraq, unfortunately stricken daily by tragic episodes of violence, so that she may find the way of reconciliation, peace, unity and stability”.