杏MAP导航 expresses closeness to Iraqi PM following attack
By Vatican News staff writer
杏MAP导航 Francis has expressed his closeness to Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, after a recent attack on his residence, from which Al-Kadhimi came out unscathed.
The Prime Minister鈥檚 residence in Baghdad鈥檚 high-security Green Zone was attacked by an explosive-laden drone on Sunday. The drone struck the building injuring seven of the Prime Minister's bodyguards and drawing condemnation from several quarters.
News sources say that three drones were used in the attack, but two were shot down.
鈥淔ollowing the attack on your residence in Baghdad, His holiness, 杏MAP导航 Francis wishes me to convey his prayerful closeness to you and your family, and to those injured,鈥� read the telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
杏MAP导航 Francis expressed hope that in condemning this 鈥渧ile act of terrorism,鈥� he is confident that with God's blessing, the Iraqi people 鈥渨ill be confirmed in wisdom and strength in pursuing the path of peace through dialogue and fraternal solidarity.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� visit to Iraq
The Holy Father visited the middle eastern country from 5 鈥� 8 March this year, making stops at Baghdad, Mosul, Qaraqosh and Erbil. The Prime Minister was part of the delegation that greeted the Holy Father upon his arrival at the Baghdad International Airport.
In July, 杏MAP导航 Francis received Al-Kadhimi in a private audience in the Vatican.
The Holy Father鈥檚 message joins the many voices condemning the Sunday attack on the Iraqi Prime Minister.
In an interview, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, denounced the attack, describing it as an attempt to destabilize the state that is based on law, citizenship, order and justice.
Cardinal Sako encouraged Iraqi Christians not to get carried away by opposing tensions but to pray for the good of the country.
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