To show his “closeness and solidarity with a Church of martyrs in a land that has suffered  so greatly from violence, terrorism and war, and witnessed a significant reduction in its Christian presence,” Pope Francis said at his March 10 General Audience was inspiration for his March 5-8 Apostolic Visit to Iraq, as he reflected on his trip this weekend.

The Pope, who visited Abraham’s birthplace of Ur on Saturday and prayed together with other religions, acknowledged this marked “the first visit of a Pope to the land of Abraham.”

Pope Francis’ Full Addresses in Iraq and Exaudi Exclusive Interviews

Reflecting on the different stages of the trip and on what he saw, he expressed special gratitude to Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani for their “cordial meeting” in Najaf.

Noting his visit was intended as a “penitential pilgrimage,” the Holy Father reflected on how Christians can follow the Lord’s example of forgiveness, reconciliation and fraternity.

The Holy Father expressed his hope “that these days will contribute to the continuing journey  towards fraternity and peace in Iraq, the Middle East, and the whole world. “

Greeting English-speakers watching the private audience televised from the Apostolic Library, the Pope prayed: “May our Lenten journey bring us to the joy  of Easter with hearts purified and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

Upon all following and their families, he invoked the joy and peace of Christ and gave his blessing.

Here is the Vatican-provided text of the English summary

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Dear Brothers and Sisters, by God’s providence, in these days I was able to make the first  visit of a Pope to the land of Abraham. I thank those who made possible my Apostolic Journey to  Iraq: the President and Government of the Republic, the Patriarchs, Bishops and faithful of the  various Churches, and the country’s religious authorities. I am particularly grateful to Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani for our cordial meeting in Najaf. My visit was intended as a penitential  pilgrimage, to show my closeness and solidarity with a Church of martyrs in a land that has suffered  so greatly from violence, terrorism and war, and witnessed a significant reduction in its Christian  presence. At my meeting with religious leaders in Ur, we prayed for the growth of fraternity and  cooperation between believers. There, where Abraham received God’s call, two young Iraqis – one  Christian, one Muslim – gave a moving testimony to a friendship capable of respecting differences  while remaining grounded in the love of God and neighbour. In the Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad, where forty-eight people were murdered in 2010, in the encounters in Mosul and Qaraqosh amid ruined churches and mosques, and in the Eucharistic celebrations in both Baghdad  and Erbil, we reflected on our call as Christians to be witnesses to the forgiveness, reconciliation  and peace taught by Christ. Let us pray that these days will contribute to the continuing journey  towards fraternity and peace in Iraq, the Middle East, and the whole world.  

 I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. May our Lenten journey bring us to the joy  of Easter with hearts purified and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Upon you and your  families I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you! 

[Original text: English] 

[Vatican-provided text]