FEBRUARY 2021

people asking them to prepare in advance
for the long-awaited historic
visit. The Patriarch explained that
the Pope was not coming on a “tourist”
or “luxury” trip, but will be on a
pilgrimage bearing a message of comfort
“for all, at a time of uncertainty.”
He went on to say in the missive,
“We must make it an opportunity for
a great change so that faith and hope
in us become a commitment.”
The Independent Catholic News
reports that preparations are underway
in the northern city of Qaraqosh
which is one of the stops on the
Pope’s itinerary. “Thanks to support
from Christian charities and other
organizations, the Christian community
is returning,” the report states.
“The library reopened in September.
The Church in Qaraqosh has been
rebuilt. Local Christian artist, Thabit
Michael, has made a new statue of
Our Lady to place on the bell tower.
He has also made statues for the
church in Karamles and the Church
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in
Baghdad.”
Concerns about traveling amid a
pandemic have arisen, of course, and
planning for the visit “will take into
consideration the evolution of the
worldwide health emergency,” according
to Bishop Basel. The Vatican
has also published a special prayer of
intention for this pilgrimage.
Prayers for peace are not being
solely said for the Middle East; Pope
Francis is praying for peace in the US
as well.
The Vatican News reports that
“On his Apostolic Journey to the US
in 2015, he was the first Pope to address
a joint session of Congress. On
that occasion, he delivered a speech
which - through figures such as Abraham
Lincoln, Dorothy Day, Thomas
Merton and Martin Luther King Jr
- underscored what makes American
democracy unique. From that
speech five years ago to his words
at the Angelus on 10 January about
what happened on Capitol Hill four
days earlier, Pope Francis has always
encouraged people to reject disruptive
tendencies, and to work with
patience and courage for reconciliation
and unity.”
Simply put, the Pope urges us to
let the “we” prevail over the “me.”
We await with great expectation
the triumph of a united audience
when Pope Francis visits Iraq in
March.
Learn more at saint-adday.com
Logo of Pope
Francis’ visit to Iraq
The logo was designed to show
Pope Francis greeting and blessing
the Map of Iraq. It also includes
symbols of Iraq such as
the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
The White Dove carrying an olive
branch signifies the desired
peace in Iraq. Also featured are
the flags of the Vatican and the
Republic of Iraq. At the southern
part of Iraq stands proudly
a palm tree, because Iraqi dates
were number one in the world.
At the top of the logo appears
a quote from the Gospel of St.
Matthew (23: 8), “You are all
brothers,” in, Arabic, Chaldean
and Kurdish.
Cardinal Sako’s
Prayer:
Lord our God, grant Pope Francis
health and safety to carry out
successfully this eagerly awaited
visit. Bless his effort to promote
dialogue, enhance fraternal reconciliation,
build confidence,
consolidate peace values and
human dignity, especially for us
Iraqis who have been through
painful “events” that affected
our lives.
Lord and Creator, enlighten
our hearts with Your light, to
recognize goodness and peace,
and to realize them.
Mother Mary, we entrust
Pope Francis’ visit to your maternal
care so that the Lord may
grant us the grace of living in
full national communion, and to
cooperate fraternally to build a
better future for our country and
our citizens. Amen.
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FEBRUARY 2021 CHALDEAN NEWS 17