Pope, in Iraq, urges all to shun violence
Pope Francis, beginning the first trip by a pontiff to Iraq, made an impassioned call yesterday for an end to the militant violence and religious strife that has plagued the country for decades, saying peacemakers should finally be given a chance. "May the clash of arms be silenced ... may there be an end to acts of violence and extremism," he said, addressing Iraqi President Barham Salih, politicians and diplomats at the presidential palace. Francis arrived at Baghdad airport under tight security, after telling reporters on his plane that he felt duty-bound to make the "emblematic" trip because the country "has been martyred for so many years".
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