Now, in a momentous turn of events, the pope is in the heart of Mosul, a living symbol of coexistence, hope and renewal. Many in Iraq expressed hope for the visit and how it is symbolic of Iraq’s ability to overcome ISIS.This visit comes a mere day after the pope had met Shi’ite leader Ayatollah Ali Sistani. The trip to Mosul was fraught with questions about security and also about where and how he would hold ceremonies.Najeeb Michaeel, the Archbishop of Mosul and a Chaldean Catholic, welcomed the pope upon his arrival. In his speech, he stressed the importance of healing the region and its people.
Those who suffered under ISIS – like the political commentator Omar Mohammed, who ran the Mosul Eye news blog that reported the state of Mosul during the occupation of ISIS – noted that they could not believe their eyes at seeing the event unfold.Mosul had been decorated for the pope's arrival and messages of inclusion and diversity were put up and pushed. Women painted murals.Nevertheless, the somber aspect of the visit is framed by the ruins of part of the city. Although much has been done to rehabilitate Mosul, much remains to be done to rebuild the old city, including mosques and churches.There also exists a need to rehabilitate the rest of the city's diverse population, including Yazidis, Kurds, Shebeks and other minorities who live in the area. READ MORE
