ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said he was “deeply honored” to pay his respects to the late Pope Francis, representing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region at the papal funeral in Rome on Saturday.
“I am deeply honored to pay my respects to Pope Francis today in Vatican City, on behalf of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said on X.
“His message of peace, compassion, and unity transcends borders and faiths, a legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come,” he added.
Pope Francis died at his residence on Monday after weeks of illness. The 88-year-old was recently discharged from hospital where he had received treatment for pneumonia. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, the day before he died. He wished a Happy Easter to thousands of worshippers in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The cause of his death was a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
A key moment in Pope Francis’ papacy was his historic trip to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in March 2021. He was the first pope to visit the country. His trip included meeting Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, seeing the birthplace of Abraham in Ur in southern Iraq and the war-torn northern city of Mosul, and celebrating mass for 10,000 people in Erbil.
President Barzani expressed his condolences in a post on X on Monday, saying he was “deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis - a man of great humility, compassion, and moral courage.”
“His Holiness’s historic and courageous visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in 2021 was a profound act of faith and solidarity, remembered with deep respect and gratitude by all our people,” he added. “I will always cherish our meetings and his prayers for peace in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world.”
World leaders including United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also attended the funeral.
