Solidarity with Iraq

Pope Francis' concern continues for the situation facing the Christian family and other groups who have been evicted from their homes and villages, in particular in the city of Mosul and in the Plain of Nineveh, many of which have taken refuge in the territory of Iraqi Kurdistan.  The Pope is praying for them and hoping that they may be able to return and continue living their lives in the lands and places where, for hundreds of hears, they have lived and built relationships with others.

During the approaching Holy Week, these families will share with Christ the unjust violence of which they have become victims and they will participate in the suffering of Christ himself.

Wishing to be close to these families, Cardinal Fernando Filoni will return to Iraq as a sign of the Pope's closeness to, affection for and unity in prayer with them.

The families of the Diocese of Rome, united with their bishop in sharing sentiments of closeness and solidarity with these families, through a special collection which will take place in all the parishes, are sending a colomba (an Easter cake) as a sign of their wish to share Easter joy and as a sign of hope based on faith in the Resurrection of Christ.

The Holy Father also wishes to make his presence known in concrete fashion through a tangible sign of solidarity.  Not wishing to forget the suffering being experienced by families in northern Nigeria, the Pontiff has also sent them, through the Episcopal Conference of that country, an equal sign of his solidarity with them.