Holy See–Kurdistan Region relations explained

Holy See–Kurdistan Region relations are bilateral relations between Holy See and Kurdistan Region. The Holy See has no representation in Kurdistan Region and the latter has no representation in the Holy See.

High-ranking visits

Kurdish President Masoud Barzani has met with Pope John Paul II and his two successors Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis on official visits to the Vatican City in November 2005, February 2011 and May 2014.[1] [2] [3] Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani also met with Pope Francis in March 2015, discussing the humanitarian crisis in the Kurdish region and Barzani stressed his hope for an papal encouragement for the international society to support Kurdistan Region humanitarianly.[4] At the meeting, Pope Francis praised the atmosphere in Kurdistan.[5] Shortly after, Pope made an unspecified donation for Kurdistan Region to cope with the displaced Christian population.[6]

In the same month, the Pope's personal envoy was sent to Erbil, including Cardinal Fernando Filoni and a delegation from the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. It was the envoy's second visit to Erbil after a similar visit took place in August 2014.[7] In 2016, the Pope donated 110,000 dollars to the St. Joseph's Clinic in Erbil, which is home to thousands of internally displaced persons,[8] and sent a financial donation to displaced Iraqi Christians in Erbil through the Aid to the Church in Need.[9]

In March 2016, a Papal delegation led by Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín and met with President Barzani, expressing the Holy See's gratefulness for Kurdistan Region's treatment of displaced Christians.[10] In January 2018, Nechirvan Barzani met with Pope Francis in Rome, where they addressed the current humanitarian situation in Kurdistan Region,[11] while Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin visited Kurdistan in December that year.[12] In February 2020, Pope Francis received Kurdish President Masrour Barzani at the Vatican for bilateral discussions.[13]

Pope Francis visited Kurdistan Region in March 2021.[14]

Notes and References

  1. News: President. 9 August 2017. Kurdistan Region Presidency. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809191751/http://presidency.krd/english/pdisplay.aspx?sm=oYjJbpqKulY=. 9 August 2017. dead.
  2. News: Pope Benedict commends President Barzani for promoting religious tolerance. 9 August 2017. Kurdistan Regional Government. 24 February 2011. 10 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810171320/http://cabinet.gov.krd/a/d.aspx?s=02010100&l=12&r=223&a=38998&s=010000. dead.
  3. News: President Barzani Meets Pope Francis at the Vatican. 9 August 2017. Kurdistan Region Presidency. 31 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20181127093611/http://www.presidency.krd/english/articledisplay.aspx?id=M1myz0RzT44=. 27 November 2018. dead.
  4. News: Iraqi Kurdistan prime minister asks Pope Francis to encourage international community. 9 August 2017. Rome Reports. 2 March 2015.
  5. News: KRG Prime Minister Barzani Meets Pope Francis. 9 August 2017. The Kurdish Project. 6 March 2015.
  6. News: Pope makes donation to help displaced Christians in Iraq and Nigeria. 9 August 2017. Catholic Herald. 30 March 2015.
  7. News: A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake. 9 August 2017. Catholic News Agency. 29 March 2015.
  8. News: Pope donates $110,000 to clinic for Iraqi refugees in Erbil. 9 August 2017. Crux. 19 June 2016. 20 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160620193951/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/06/19/pope-donate-110000-clinic-iraqi-refugees-erbil/. dead.
  9. News: Pope Francis sends vestments, financial aid to Iraqi Christians. 9 August 2017. Catholic News Agency. 31 May 2016.
  10. News: President Barzani Meets with Papal Delegation. 9 August 2017. Department of Foreign Relations - Kurdistan Regional Government. 4 March 2016.
  11. News: Updated: Barzani, Pope discuss Vatican role in easing relations with Baghdad. 29 March 2018.
  12. News: Vatican Secretary of State discusses situation of Christians in Iraq, Kurdistan with senior Kurdish officials . 16 February 2019 . Kurdistan24 . 27 December 2018.
  13. News: Prime Minister Barzani meets Pope Francis at Vatican during Italy trip . 19 February 2020 . NRTV.
  14. News: 7 December 2020. Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in 2021. CNA. 5 February 2021.

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