Pope Leo XIV urged Iraqi Christians to be the light of Christ amid growing persecution and insecurity. In a video message released by the Vatican on July 8 for the Youth Encounter in Ankawa, Iraq, the Pope greeted the young Christians present and encouraged them to trust in God during these difficult times for the country.“Dear young people, never doubt God’s goodness, and do not fear the plan the Lord has for each of you,” Leo XIV said in the video message. “The prophet Jeremiah also had to face difficult times, and he testifies that the Lord’s plans are ‘for your welfare and not for your calamity, to give you a future full of hope.’”
Iraq continues to suffer sectarian violence and terrorist attacks, forcing waves of Christians to emigrate. According to ACI MENA — the Arabic service of EWTN News — and the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Baghdad, two-thirds of Christians have left the country, most fleeing to the United States and Australia.The report also notes that, since the Iraq War in 2003, the Christian population has declined from 1.5 million to approximately half a million. The Patriarchate attributes this decline to the number of Christians kidnapped and killed by the Islamist militant organization Al-Qaeda.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the Iraqi Christians gathered in Ankawa to persevere in the faith, assuring them of his closeness and that of the Church in these times.“I am with you; the Church is with you. Trust in Jesus; listen to him in prayer and through the guidance of others, and allow him to guide you,” said Leo XIV.
The Pope also urged them to radiate the light of Christ and to work for peace in times of conflict.“Rooted in charity, they are especially called to be peacemakers, to unite those around them and to instill in others the hope of a future marked by lasting peace,” he said.The Pope told them that “it is not always easy to be a light in the world. Indeed, at this moment, you are called to radiate this light in a situation that has often been marked by war and instability.” “The Lord has placed great trust in you by entrusting you with this mission, and I too have great trust in all of you,” the Pope assured them.