Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met Pope Leo XIV on Monday at the Vatican during a diplomatic visit focused on coexistence and religious diversity. The Pope Leo XIV visit discussion quickly became the center of talks between both sides. Barzani also invited the Pope to visit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the future.
Barzani described the meeting as an important opportunity to strengthen ties with the Vatican. Moreover, he highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s continued support for Christians and other religious communities. He stressed that these groups remain an essential part of the Region’s identity and future.
During the meeting, Barzani emphasized the need to protect religious freedoms across Iraq. Additionally, he said authorities must preserve the dignity and rights of minority communities. He also underlined the importance of maintaining peaceful coexistence throughout the country.
Furthermore, Barzani praised the Vatican’s role in encouraging dialogue between religions and cultures. He said Iraq values the Vatican’s efforts to support peace and understanding worldwide. Consequently, both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on humanitarian and cultural issues.
The Kurdish leader also recalled the historic 2021 Iraq trip by Pope Francis. That landmark visit drew global attention to Iraq’s religious diversity and recovery efforts. During that tour, Pope Francis visited several Iraqi cities and held a massive mass in Erbil. Around 10,000 people attended the gathering in the Kurdistan Region capital.
Additionally, Barzani met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin earlier during his two-day Vatican trip. Their talks focused on regional stability, coexistence, and stronger diplomatic relations.
Last week, Barzani also welcomed Miroslaw Wachowski in Erbil. During that meeting, he reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to religious diversity and peaceful coexistence. He also expressed support for Wachowski’s diplomatic mission in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s Christian population continues to decline after decades of conflict and instability. Sectarian violence increased sharply following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Later, Islamic State attacks devastated Christian communities across northern Iraq in 2014.
According to figures shared by Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, fewer than 300,000 Christians now remain in Iraq. Many families fled violence, economic hardship, and insecurity over the past two decades.
Still, Kurdish officials continue promoting coexistence policies throughout the Region. Leaders frequently stress the importance of protecting Iraq’s multicultural and multi-religious identity. As discussions around a possible Pope Leo XIV visit continue, officials hope stronger cooperation with the Vatican will encourage stability and unity across Iraq.
