Pope Benedict XVI praises President Barzani for his promotion of religious tolerance

Rome, Italy (KRP.org) – On the second day of his visit to Rome, President Masoud Barzani met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican to discuss the situation of Christians in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

During their meeting, the President informed the Pope of the challenges facing Christians and reiterated the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) full support for Christians and other communities forced to endure violence in Iraq. He presented a document with facts and information regarding Christians who have always lived in Kurdistan, as well as displaced Christians who have moved to Kurdistan seeking safety and protection.

Pope Benedict XVI expressed his gratitude to the President and the KRG for their support of the Christian community in Iraq and praised their leadership in promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in Iraq.

Since 2003, more than 10,000 Christian families have fled violence and targeted attacks in other parts of Iraq and settled in the Kurdistan Region.