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by Louis Raphael Sako*
Baghdad (Fides Agency) - Pope Francis was a phenomenon.
I have known other Popes, but Francis was different.
His simplicity, spontaneity, humanity, and spirituality were very moving to me.
When I met him, he was like a father who listened and responded, not someone who judged.
On a human level, he was a prophetic voice against war and injustice. He understood the Muslim world and promoted dialogue in a concrete way with his visits to Arab countries. I particularly remember the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi in 2018 together with Grand Imam Ahmed al Tayyeb and the visit to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the city of Najaf, Iraq. Pope Francis repeated that we are all brothers.
He condemned extremism. He renewed the Church.
Now May he rest in peace with our Heavenly Father. ( Fides Agency 23/4/2025)
* Cardinal and Patriarch of the Chaldean Church
