MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Muslim and Christian residents in the ruined Iraqi city of Mosul told Pope Francis of their lives under brutal Islamic State rule on Sunday as the pontiff blessed their vow to rise up from ashes and told them that "fraternity is more durable than fratricide." The 84-year-old pope saw ruins of houses and churches in a square that was the old town's thriving centre before Mosul was occupied by Islamic State from 2014 to 2017. Much of the old city was destroyed in 2017 during the bloody battle by Iraqi forces and an international military coalition to drive out Islamic State. In an apparent direct reference to Islamic State, Francis said hope could never be "silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction." Francis then flew by helicopter to Qaraqosh, a Christian enclave that was overrun by Islamic State fighters and where families have slowly returned and rebuilt ruined homes.

Source: The Star March 07, 2021 01:50 UTC