PopeFrancisendedhishistorictourofIraqonMonday, flyingoutofBaghdadInternationalAirportaftervisitingcitiestornapartbyconflict, meetingMuslimandChristianleadersandpreaching a messageofpeaceandcoexistenceoverwar.
AnotherhistoricalfirstcamewhenhemetIraq's topShiiteMuslimclerichoursafterthepope's departure, thecountry's primeministerMustafaalKadhimi, made a televisedaddresscallingforfurtherdialogueonthebasisofthishistoricresponsibilityandintheatmosphereofloveandtolerancepromotedbythevisitofHisHoliness, thePopetothelandofIraq, thelandofMesopotamia, wepresenttodaythecallfor a nationaldialoguetobe a pathwayforachievingtheaspirationsofourpeople.
Thewhirlwindandpotentiallyriskyvisitappearedtobewellreceivedbythepublic, withofficialssayingitwas a chancefortheworldtoseetheirperpetuallycrisishitnationin a newlight.
PopeFrancisendedhishistorictourofIraqonMonday, flyingoutofBaghdadInternationalAirportaftervisitingcitiestornapartbyconflict, meetingMuslimandChristianleadersandpreaching a messageofpeaceandcoexistenceoverwar.