Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited Mar Yousif Cathedral in the Ankawe district of Erbil. He was welcomed by Patriarch Mar Polos III Nona, the spiritual leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and worldwide.
The meeting was attended by numerous clergy members, prominent Christian figures, and Christian parliamentarians. The visit underscored the close relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Christian community.
Barzani’s Message of Support
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barzani expressed his pleasure in hosting Patriarch Mar Polos III Nona in the Kurdistan Region. He congratulated Nona on his new role and affirmed full support for his religious and spiritual responsibilities.
Patriarch Mar Polos III Nona thanked Barzani for the visit and expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing support provided to the Christian community and the church.
Emphasis on Reform and Development
Patriarch Mar Polos III Nona also praised the Kurdistan Regional Government’s reform agenda and development projects. He commended Barzani’s leadership efforts, describing him as a "man of action."
The meeting conveyed messages about the Kurdistan Region’s longstanding reputation for coexistence, religious freedom, and stability. This framework is linked to the Christian community’s view of the Kurdistan Region as a safe place to live.
Details on the Patriarchate Process
It was noted that Mar Polos III Nona was born as Amel Shamoun Nona in Alqosh, Ninawa province of Iraq. He was elected head of the Chaldean Catholic Church on April 12 and officially assumed his duties on May 29 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baghdad.
This visit highlighted the Kurdistan Regional Government’s relations with Christian institutions and its support for the new era of the patriarchate. The meeting also demonstrated the ongoing dialogue between religious representation and the regional government.
