(ANSA) - Vatican City, August 20 - Pope Francis called for
prayers for Christians and other persecuted minority groups in
Iraq during his general audience in St. Peter's Square
Wednesday.
His call came as Italian Premier Matteo Renzi landed in
Baghdad for meetings with officials there as well as a visit to
a refugee camp.
Francis also called for prayers for persecuted groups all
over the world.
"I invite you to join together to pray for all persecuted
Christians around the world, particularly in Iraq, and pray also
for non-Christian religious minorities in Iraq, who are also
persecuted," said the pope.
Minorities groups have been especially threatened by civil
war in Iraq between authorities and Islamic militants belonging
to ISIS who are attempting to establish a caliphate in the
region.
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Pope says pray for Iraqi Christians
Francis urges support for persecuted groups around the world