Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani

Vatican City

At the start of the second day of his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis flew to the city of Najaf for a private meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husayni Al-Sistani at his residence. Before meeting the Grand Ayatollah, the Pope was received by his son Mohammed Rida.

The city of Najaf

The city of Najaf is located about 160 km south of Baghdad, 30 km from ancient Babylon and 400 km. north of the biblical city of Ur. It was founded in 791 AD by Caliph Hārūn al-Rashīd, and its development took place mainly after the 10th century.

Najaf is the main Shia religious center in Iraq and a pilgrimage destination for Shiites around the world. It also houses the tomb of one of Islam’s most revered figures, Alí ​​ibn Abi Talib, also known as Imam ʿAlī, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad and the first man to convert to the ‘Islam.

The tomb of the first Imam of the Shiites, located inside the Imam ʿAlī Mosque, is considered one of the holiest places in Islam and is located near the center of the city.

Besides mosques, shrines and religious schools, the holy city of Iraqi Shiism is known for the cemetery of Wadi al-Salam.

The residence of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husayni Al-Sistani is located near the shrine of Imam ‘Ali or the mosque of Imam ʿAlī, which is considered by Shiites to be the third holiest place in Islam after Mecca and Medina. The mosque has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries; the last reconstruction, started in 1623, was completed in 1632.

Pope Francis’ meeting with Ayatollah Al-Sistani

The Holy Father met, on the morning of March 6, in Najaf, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husayni Al-Sistani. During the courtesy visit, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, the Holy Father underlined the importance of collaboration and friendship between religious communities so that by cultivating mutual respect and dialogue, we can to contribute to the good of Iraq, the region and all mankind. .

The meeting was an opportunity for the Pope to thank the Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani because, alongside the Shiite community, faced with the violence and the great difficulties of recent years, he raised his voice to defend the weakest. and the most persecuted, affirming the sanctity of human life and the importance of the unity of the Iraqi people.

Saying goodbye to Grand Ayatollah, the Holy Father reiterated his prayer to God, the Creator of all, for a future of peace and brotherhood for the beloved land of Iraq, for the Middle East and for the whole world.