Posters of Pope and Ayatollah hung in Najaf ahead of papal visit

In less than two decades, Iraq’s Christian community shrunk from more than 1.5 million to a few hundred thousand. War, bloodshed, persecution ands economic stagnation forced most of the community to seek a new future abroad.
On Friday, Pope Francis plans to shine a light on one of the most diverse and longstanding Christian communities in the world as he embarks on a historic pilgrimage across the country.
Iraq, a Muslim majority country of just more than 40 million, has 14 registered Christian sects from a range of churches, but Chaldeans and other Catholic denominations make up about half of the 400,000-strong community. Armenian Orthodox and Protestant make up a sizeable proportion of the others.

[mehdimustapha]

Inshallah I pray to Allah that his massager prophet Muhammd's respect and honer will be discussed and documented so that no can disrespectfully give it's remarks against The Prophet Muhammd P.B.U.H.

[bigDaddy-lxsn]

I hope our Christians all over the world live in peace. May god bless the Holy Pope for visiting the Grand Ayatullah Sayed Ali Sistani. May these two carry the message of peace and love for all of Humanity. Especially for the peace of Shias and Catholics. I hope one day Russian Orthodox church visits Grand Ayatullah and gives a message for peace and love for humanity and co existence for the People of world. I would request all the Christians Catholics and Orthodox and Protestants to visit Najaf and Karbala. This place is like a heaven on earth. I request everyone to join Shias on the 40th Day of Prophet Mohammad Hussain called Arbaeen / Chehlum. As a Shia Muslim myself i send the message of love and respect for the Holy Pope of Catholic Church for coming to visit Najaf the Place where Imam Ali is Buried. I would like to invite every Human whether it's Catholics or Orthodox or Hindu or Jew or Sikh to visit the Holy Grave of Imam Ali and Imam Hussain and see and experience the love and respect that Shias shower upon you.
My request for all the Shia Muslims is to welcome our Christian Brothers with open hearts to the birthplace of hundreds of Prophets. The Cradle of Civilization Babylon sends a Message of Humanity and Peace. I would like to invite all the Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists and Sikhs t to visit the Holy shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussain in Najaf and Karbala. ❤️

[flowersinherhair]

Solidarity with the Iraquis, he says. No words to the Christians there at all? K