4-November-2004 -- Vatican Update
Vatican, Nov. 04 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II
backed the establishment of democracy in Iraq, as he met on November 4 with that
country's interim leader, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
The Holy Father also expressed his sympathy for the people of Iraq, who have
endured "tragic suffering" in recent years. And he pledged that the
Christian population of Iraq would take an active role in the country's
reconstruction.
The country's new democratic institutions, the Pope said, should be
"committed to defending the rights of all." He added that Iraq needs
to encourage "complete respect for ethnic and religious diversity, which
has always been a source of enrichment." With these comments John Paul was
emphasizing the need to establish security for the Christian minority in Iraq,
which has been subject to violence and intimidation in recent weeks. The Pontiff
then went on to say that "the Christian community, present in Iraq since
from apostolic times, will make its own contribution to the growth of democracy
and the building of a future of peace in the region."
John Paul II assured the Iraqi prime minister that he "prays for all the
victims of terrorism and wanton violence, for their families, and for all those
who generously work for the reconstruction of your country."
The Pontiff's prepared remarks were read, in English, by an official of the
Secretariat of State. The Pope met with Allawi privately for about 10 minutes,
after which the Iraqi leader also spoke with the Vatican Secretary of State,
Cardinal Angelo Sodano; and the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop
Giovanni Lajolo.
Allawi ensured the Vatican officials that he heartily condemned the bombing
attacks on Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul, and promised the
government's help in rebuilding them. According to Vatican spokesman Joaquin
Navarro-Valls, the discussions between the Iraqi leader and the officials of the
Vatican Secretariat of State focused on religious freedom and the need to
protect the Christian communities of Iraq.
After his meetings at the Vatican, Allawi was to meet with Italian Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi, then travel to Brussels for sessions with the heads
of the European Union nations.