NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) – Pope Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Saturday, in a powerful appeal for coexistence in a land torn by sectarianism and violence. Francis’s meeting in the holy southern city of Najaf, during a whirlwind and risky tour of Iraq, marked the first time a pope has met with such a senior Shi’ite cleric. After his 55-minute meeting with Sistani, Francis headed to the ruins of ancient Ur in southern Iraq, revered as the birthplace of Abraham, father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The meeting with Francis took place at Sistani’s humble home which he has rented for decades, located along a narrow alleyway in Najaf. Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Michael Georgy and Amina Ismail; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Alexander SmithImage: Pope Francis meets with Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq March 6, 2021.

Source: Egypt Independent March 06, 2021 07:18 UTC