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Biden welcomes Pope’s "historic" visit to Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 8 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden welcomed Monday Pope Francisآ’ "historic" visit to Iraq, saying it is a "symbol of hope for the entire world." In a statement, Biden said the Popeآ’s visit "sent an important message, as Pope Francis said himself, that "fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than death, that peace more powerful than war." "To see Pope Francis visit ancient religious sites .... and offer prayers in Mosul -- a city that only a few years ago endured the depravity and intolerance of a group like (IS) -- is a symbol of hope for the entire world," he affirmed.
He congratulated the Government and people of Iraq "for the care and planning that went into organizing this monumental visit, and continue to admire Pope Francis for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance, the common bonds of our humanity and interfaith understanding." (end) si.rk