Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Preparations complete for Pope Francis’ meeting with President Nechirvan Barzani

2021-03-02T14:17:20.000000Z
Internal relations
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 2, 2021

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nizar Al-Khairulla, who is also the Head of the High Preparatory Committee for the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Deputy Foreign Minister Al-Khairulla briefed the President on the preparations for the Pope Francis’ visit and expressed delight over the coordination between Iraq’s Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s relevant authorities ahead of the visit. Mr. Khairulla stressed that preparations for the visit were complete and the Vatican, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region maintained full coordination.

President Nechirvan Barzani described His Holiness the Pope’s visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as historic and internationally significant. The President commended Mr. Kheirulla and valued the cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil on the preparations ahead of the visit.

President Nechirvan Barzani referred to the message and importance of His Holiness the Pope’s visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as it will strengthen the international communities’ ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The President stated that all communities in the country welcome the visit, since it is an opportunity to solidify the culture of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect among Iraq’s all components.