The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) are pleased to invite you to join a webinar on the political and religious implications of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Iraq. The webinar, under the theme “You are all brothers” will take place on Monday 15 March 2021, from 18:00 to 19:30 (CET).
Pope Francis arrives in Erbil, Northern Iraq. (Photo: Jon_photographi/Shutterstock)
Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq was the first visit of a Pope to the homeland of Abraham. The visit was not only dedicated to the Christians living in the war-torn and fragile middle eastern country, but it was also a significant contribution to inter-religious dialogue in view of advancing peace and reconciliation in the region and globally.
Pope Francis’ journey to Iraq included a meeting with Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, an interfaith prayer held in the ancient city of Ur and a prayer on the rubble of Mosul where seven years ago Daesh proclaimed its “caliphate”.
What will be the religious and political implications in Iraq and in the region? How these events will shape EU policies and international action? These and other questions will be at centre of the webinar, together with H. E. Mgr. Franz-Josef Overbeck (Vice President of COMECE), Fr. Jens Petzold (Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Sulaymaniyah) and Stefan von Kempis (Vatican News).
