Precisely in Iraq, he promoted a "culture of brothers" as opposed to the "culture of brothers". "logic of war" (cfr. general audience 11-III-2021). In doing so, he also promoted interreligious dialogue in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. At his press conference during the return flight (8-III-2021), he acknowledged having experienced the "efficiency" of the sages and saints, as is also reflected in his teachings.
The "vaccine" of hope
In a meeting with priests and religious in the Syro-Catholic cathedral of Baghdad (5-III-2021), which is watered by the blood of modern martyrs and now under the sign of the pandemic, the Pope proposed that the "effective vaccine of hope. Hope that springs from persevering prayer and fidelity to the apostolate, from the witness of the saints. "Let us never forget that Christ is proclaimed above all by the witness of lives transformed by the joy of the Gospel. [...] A living faith in Jesus is 'contagious'; it can change the world.".
He thanked them for having been close to his people in the midst of so many difficulties: war, persecutions, economic shortages, migrations.
Between the carpets and the stars
To speak of fraternity, he gave the example of a carpet and its knots. God himself is the artist who devised it. The incomprehensions and tensions that we sometimes experience "are the knots that hinder the weaving of fraternity".. They are knots that we carry inside, because we are all sinners..
"But these knots can be untied by Grace, by a greater love; they can be loosened by forgiveness and fraternal dialogue, patiently bearing one another's burdens (cf. Gal 6:2) and strengthening one another in times of trial and difficulty.".
Recalling the terrorist attack that cost the lives of forty-eight Christians in that cathedral on October 31, 2010, and who are in the process of beatification, Francis noted: "Religion must serve the cause of peace and unity among all God's children.". And he appealed to take special care of the young, who, together with the elderly, are the most vulnerable. "the diamond tip of the country, the best fruits of the tree.".
The following day, on the plain of Ur, the land of Abraham, the Pope held an interreligious meeting. We," he said, "are the fruit of Abraham's call and journey some four thousand years ago. A journey that, in the horizon of divine promises, changed history. He contemplated the stars that were the expression of his descendants and that today are still the same. They illuminate the darkest nights because they shine together. So do we.
And he insisted on the fundamental motto of his trip: You are all brothers (Mt 23,8). The root of fraternity is in true religiosity. "True religiosity is to adore God and love one's neighbor. In today's world, which often forgets the Most High and proposes a distorted image of him, believers are called to bear witness to his goodness, to show his fatherhood through fraternity." (Religious meeting, Ur Plain, 6-III-2021).
We too, he continued, must look to heaven as we walk on earth. And like Abraham, we must detach ourselves from those bonds that, by enclosing us in our groups, prevent us from welcoming the infinite love of God and from seeing brothers and sisters in others.
"Yes, we need to get out of ourselves, because we need each other." In fact, the pandemic has also made us understand that "no one is saved alone" (Fratelli tutti, 54). Neither isolation, nor the idolatry of money or consumerism will save us. Our way to heaven is the way of peace. "Peace requires neither victors nor vanquished, but brothers and sisters who, despite the misunderstandings and wounds of the past, are moving from conflict to unity.".
He concluded: "He who has the courage to look at the stars, who believes in God, has no enemies to fight. [...] He who looks at the stars of promise, he who follows the ways of God cannot be against anyone, but in favor of all. He cannot justify any form of imposition, oppression or prevarication, he cannot act aggressively.". A message especially for the education of young people: "It is urgent to educate them in fraternity, to educate them to look at the stars. It is a real emergency; it will be the most effective vaccine for a future of peace.".
Wisdom, weaknesses, purification of the heart
On the same day, March 6, during the homily of the Mass celebrated in the Chaldean rite in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Francis elaborated on wisdom.
The wisdom that Jesus proposes does not depend on human means (material riches, power or fame), but on poverty of spirit. "Jesus' proposal is wise because love, which is the heart of the beatitudes, although it may seem weak in the eyes of the world, actually wins". And the beatitudes call for a daily witness. Neither flight nor the sword solves anything.
Jesus changed history "with the humble strength of love, with his patient witness".. This is how God fulfills his promises, through our weaknesses. "Sometimes we may feel incapable, useless. But let us not listen, because God wants to work wonders precisely through our weaknesses".
In Qaraqosh he encouraged them to rebuild not only the cities and buildings, destroyed by war and terrorism, "but first and foremost the ties that bind communities and families, young and old." (Speech 7-III-2021). And to do so, to rely on holiness, forgiveness and courage. "From heaven the saints watch over us: let us invoke them and never tire of asking for their intercession. And there are also 'the saints next door', 'those who live close to us and are a reflection of God's presence' (Exhort. Gaudete et exsultate, 7)".
Regarding forgiveness (the Pope was especially moved by the experience of forgiveness in Qaraqosh) and courage, he acknowledged: "I know this is very difficult. But we believe that God can bring peace on this earth. We trust in Him and, together with all people of good will, we say 'no' to terrorism and the instrumentalization of religion." The Pope said goodbye appealing for conversion and reconciliation among all people of good will, on the background of fraternity. "A fraternal love that recognizes 'the fundamental values of our common humanity, the values by virtue of which we can and must collaborate, build and dialogue, forgive and grow'" (Fratelli tutti, 283).
Later, in the Eucharist celebrated in the Erbil stadium, the wisdom of the cross was once again the protagonist. St. Paul says that "Christ is the strength of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor 1:24). Well, the Pope observed: "Jesus revealed this strength and this wisdom above all with mercy and forgiveness." (Homily in Erbil, 7-III-2021). In the present circumstances, Francis maintained, we all need to purify our hearts. That is to say: "We need to be cleansed of our false securities, which bargain faith in God with things that happen, with the conveniences of the moment. We need to eliminate from our hearts and from the Church the harmful suggestions of power and money. To cleanse our hearts we need to get our hands dirty, to feel responsible and not stand idly by while our brothers and sisters suffer".. And for all this we need Jesus. "He has the power to conquer our ills, to cure our diseases, to restore the temple of our heart.".
