Pope Francis, in a historic visit to Iraq, visited Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral in Baghdad. The Pope, who was greeted with joyful song and a white and yellow flower necklace met with Bishops and clerics and religious sisters.
At the Cathedral, the Pope acknowledged the attack by Islamic State in 2010, in which, 48 Catholics and 10 others lost their lives. The Vatican is considering their beatification as martyrs in the first step to possible sainthood. Photos of the 48 adorned the altar where Francis spoke.
In honouring the victims of the massacre, the Pope said their deaths are a powerful reminder that inciting war, hateful attitudes, violence or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teaching.
Video source: Vatican News Facebook page
