"The Pope spoke words of affection and care for Iraq. With us Iraqis, he was very kind and showed that he is well aware of and follows closely the situation in our country". On the day Benedict Xvi recalled, in his Wednesday audience, his recent journey to the Holy Land, when he prayed so much for the Middle Eastern Christians, without neglecting those that live in distress, such as those of Iraq, mgr. Shlemon Warduni, patriarchal vicar of Baghdad, speaks of the meeting between the Pontiff and the Iraqi delegation in Amman. "First of all, Benedict XVI wanted to express his satisfaction for the work done by Jordan in receiving the Iraqi refugees and asked all the political and religious leaders to do all they can for Iraqi to find peace and the Christians' rights to be respected and protected". "The situation in Iraq - he added - can be said to have improved, but it is far from normal. The tunnel is still long. Over these days, a Christian teacher has been abducted south of Kirkuk, and a child, also a Christian, aged just 5, has been abducted in a district of Mosul". "We will not forget the words the Holy Father said to card. Delly, who led our delegation: ‘I - the Pope said - always pray for Iraqis'. In embracing all of us, he wanted to embrace all of Iraq and its population".

© SIR