“Francisco’s arrival will be a medicine”

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There are expectations in the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Iraqi city for the arrival of Francis on March 7, where the Christian community was restored at the end of the long occupation of the Islamic State.

Meanwhile, in Erbil, an air strike reaches the international base and it is clearly perceived that war remains a threat

(Vatican News) .- In Erbil, in northern Iraq, the Shiite militia “Guardians of the Blood” claimed responsibility for the rocket fire that struck the area between the airport and the base of international coalition forces during the night, killing one civilian contractor and injuring at least 5 people. The revolt was voiced by the newly appointed US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and by Washington’s allies.

attack, attempt It happens a few weeks after the Pope’s trip to the country. On March 7, Francis will be in Qaraqosh to meet with the Christian community at the Church of the Immaculate Conception rebuilt after its destruction by the Islamic State. The Iraqi city is preparing for this visit, he explains Father Georges Jahola, pastor among the organizers of the trip:

A. – We prepare perhaps in a very simple way, because Pope Francis is simple in his relationship with people, but with great seriousness. Yesterday I had the meeting of young people who practice to receive the Pope with songs and are spiritually preparing to receive him. We are also preparing the Church because it was destroyed and burned. The restoration started a few months ago and we are in the final phase of work, which also covers the interior.

I have always followed the fate of Christians in the country since the war began again. What does it mean to have the Pope among you, after so many losses and pains caused by the jihadism of the Islamic State?

A. – Certainly, the Pope’s visit to us is like a remedy for the events that took place before: where there was violence, today comes peace, an authority arrives that speaks to both the political and the ecclesial sphere. And we need that. So the coming of the Pope is a kind of medicine for us: with him here we can certainly understand his message in depth.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception had been destroyed by jihadists. In this sense, what does it mean to meet the Pope right inside this sacred and wounded building and return here to celebrate?

A.- It is a sign of the tenacity we have and of the tenacity of the Church around the world. Supporting a severely affected community, even the restoration of a building, is a very important and significant sign, because this Church has certainly been deliberately burned to give a message to this people: “You must not be here.” Returning to the Holy Father here means a lot and strengthens our existence here, means returning to the roots of our history and faith and tells us that the universal Church, represented by the Holy Father, is with us.

There is still war in many parts of your country, this is the news of the last hours. In general, what is the situation in Qaraqosh? Is the city quiet? How do you live every day now?

A.- Since the city was liberated on October 23, 2016, there have been no signs of violence and that is why we have returned to our homes. The climate is very calm and quiet, because the Christians of the city are the majority and we sow what we have, so the positive things are more than the negative. Although the Pope’s visit is to Qaraqosh, where most believers are Syrian Catholics, we invite the entire Nineveh Plain to attend this event. Christians of all peoples, of all churches that exist: Orthodox, Catholic, Chaldean … Everyone will be invited here to participate and rejoice with us at this time.

Is there a risk that you will not be able to attend these meetings due to the pandemic?

A. – We are also working on this. People want to meet health standards to reduce the contagion and not let this threat block the Pope’s arrival. Of course, we are very aware of this problem.

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