Participants in a May 6 webinar discussed Pope Francis' historic visit to Iraq, which left an enduring impact among a population that has suffered years of violence. The trip also encouraged interreligious dialogue.
We say: Pope Francis could not heal the wounds in Iraq, but he could and did demonstrate solidarity with the victims. But, despite assurances, the trip was not held in a way to minimize the possibility of the spread of coronavirus among Iraqis.
Distinctly Catholic: One of the things I like best about this pope is that he remembers the tactile nature of our Christian faith, the fact that most of us common people want to touch the holy or, in this case, make a pilgrimage to a holy place.
