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■ Broadcast: JTBC Morning & / Progress: Lee Jung-heon
Pope Francis is returning to Rome today (8th) after visiting Iraq for 4 days and 3 nights. This is the first time in 2000 years of Catholic history that the Pope has ever stepped on Iraqi land. On the 5th, Pope Francis and Prime Minister of Iraq, who arrived at Baghdad Airport in Iraq, come to the front of the plane to greet. The vehicle carrying the Pope was moved to the presidential palace, greeted by the Iraqi people in a strict escort. In his first message, the Pope comforted the Middle East after a long war and asked to embrace Christians in Iraq. Let’s listen to it yourself.
[프란치스코/교황 : 저는 평화의 왕이신 그리스도의 이름으로, 평화의 순례자로 이곳에 왔습니다. 우리는 그동안 이라크의 평화를 위해 많은 기도를 해왔습니다.]
The Pope moved to Naja, a city in southern Iraq, where he met the Shi’ite leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. It was the first time that the Pope of the Catholic Church and the highest Shi’ite clergyman met, and it was broadcast live across Iraq. The Pope also visited the Ur region, known as the hometown of Abraham, the common ancestor of Christianity and Islam. Later, the Pope returned to Baghdad and held Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We also visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation, where 58 people, including Catholics, died in the terrorist attacks in 2010. Iraqi Catholics who attended the Mass shed tears of joy. I will also listen to the Catholics.
[이라크 가톨릭 신자 : 정말 행복합니다. (왜 웁니까?) 너무 기뻐서요. 예수가 우리를 찾아온 것 같습니다.]
On the 7th, the Pope also visited Mosul, a city in northern Iraq, which was a major battleground against the Islamic extremist militant group IS. The bodyguards also raised their vigilance to the peak, saying traces of IS are still being found in the area. The Pope also visited Erbil, near Mosul, and Karakosi, Iraq’s oldest Christian village, to hold Mass. For the first time in Catholic history, the Pope visited Iraq. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning and impact of this visit and with an Islamic expert. Professor Hee-soo Lee, who is in charge of the Islamic Culture Research Institute at Sungkonghoe University, is connected by phone.
Pope Francis said goodbye at his last Mass in Erbil, saying, “It is time to return to Rome, but Iraq will always remain in my heart.” Pope Francis is leaving Iraq today. The pope’s message, “Peace is stronger than war, hope is stronger than hate,” is likely to remain in Iraq forever.