Bagdad (Iraq), 03/19/2021, Sr. Nejla Thomas.- March 5-8, 2021. Is the Pope coming to our country, to Iraq? No, we are with Covid-19 epidemic. Yes, said the Pope. I will go, regardless of everything, because the people of Iraq deserve it. Joy always gives the strength and courage to do wonders.
As people of Iraq, we are in celebration. It is a unique event in the history of Mesopotamia! Truly, this is a miracle!
The whole world was able to follow this event minute by minute and thus, participated in all the celebrations live, thanks to the media. The televisions in our communities were on the whole day.
Some sisters received passes to be present at different places where the Pope was visiting (We were under curfew):
- At the Pope's arrival in the morning of March 5: On the way to the airport.
- In the afternoon in Karrada: at the Church of the Martyrs, Our Lady of Liberation (Syrian Catholic Church, where on October 31, 2010, more than 48 Christians, including two young priests, were martyred and where more than 200 were wounded during the Sunday Mass). It was filled with people to celebrate the Coronation of Our Lady.
- On March 6, at the celebration of the Eucharist in the Chaldean Cathedral of St. Joseph, also in Karrada.
Communication Media faithfully followed the Pope step by step...despite the difficulties of walking in the narrow streets of Najaf for the meeting with Ali Al Sistani, head of the Shiites.
The sand-laden wind lashed Ur on the morning of March 6, while military helicopters went up and down.
On March 7, journey to Nineveh. The Holy Father prayed in the midst of the ruins for the victims of the war and called for fraternity. In a small vehicle (Tuk-tuk) he went around the site to see the ruins left by the Islamic State.
The Pope continued his pilgrimage to Qaraqosh where he prayed the Angelus in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Qaraqosh was also destroyed by the Islamic State five years ago.
On his return to Erbil, in the "Papa Mobile" he stopped at Faranso Hariri stadium where more than ten thousand people attended the celebration of the Eucharist.
On March 8, a delegation was invited to the Nunciature to bid farewell to the Pope and to say goodbye and THANK YOU on behalf of all the people of Iraq.
Today we still breathe the air that comes to us from the south or from the north, blessed by the visit of our Pope FRANCIS. Thanks be to God who allowed him to return safe and sound.
Almighty Father, in the name of JESUS your Son, protect our Pope, give him health and may the power of the Spirit accompany him always. Thank you, my God...today and always. Amen.
