A building that is also a "message", a sign of "openness", a place of "international pilgrimage" for Iraqis and the faithful from all over the world, Christians and Muslims, because Abraham "is the common father". This is the hope expressed to AsiaNews by the patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, anticipating the imminent inauguration of the church in Ur of the Chaldeans, four years after the visit of Pope Francis. An opening originally scheduled for March 6 to coincide with the anniversary of the apostolic journey, but which "will be held after Easter - explains the cardinal - to let the time of Ramadan and Lent pass. Also because the prime minister [Mohammed Shia al-Sudani] and other Muslim figures are expected to participate in the ceremony, which is why we preferred to postpone it until after the month of Islamic fasting and prayer".

The place of worship, explains Cardinal Sako, intends to represent a point of reference and a center of pilgrimage "like the Church of the Baptism on the Jordan River or the Abrahamic House in the United Arab Emirates". "Today - he continues - we need these signs and these places that unite all humanity and represent a meeting point for all religions". A church "important for Iraq and for Iraqis, a Christian 'sign' in a reality with a large Muslim majority, which will help to understand Christians and respect their faith, looking at the points of union and accepting the elements of diversity, to live in peace and stability".

Four years after the visit of Pope Francis - the pontiff's first apostolic trip abroad, when the Covid-19 pandemic was still raging - the Iraqi Catholic community is ready to inaugurate a new church in Ur of the Chaldeans, the Ibrahim Al-Khalil Church . A reference to Abraham (the origin of the faith of Jews, Christians and Muslims) and part of a larger complex that rises in the desert plain, characterized by a characteristic pyramid shape. Not only a place of worship, but also a religious, social and cultural center closely linked to Francis and his message on belonging to the prophet of the three great monotheistic religions. A further push for dialogue after the signing of the document on "brotherhood" in Abu Dhabi in 2019 with the imam of Al-Azhar for Sunni Islam and the meeting, again in Iraq, with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest Shiite authority.

The place of worship also wants to be an encouragement for the Iraqi Christian community, decimated in the last twenty years so much so that, if in the past there were at least 1.5 million faithfuls, today there are a few hundred thousand left. The building stands on a surface of 10 thousand square meters and includes inside a large hall of 600 square meters and a bell tower 23 meters high. The church not only intends to serve the Christian community, but at the same time aims to attract tourists from all over the world, especially Christian pilgrims.

“Four years after the Pope’s visit,” says Cardinal Sako, “everyone remembers him, just as he himself, several times in the past, has said that Iraq is in his heart.” The Pontiff’s health conditions are a source of concern not only for Christians, but for the authorities themselves and many Muslims. “Two days ago,” says the cardinal, “the Prime Minister called me asking about his condition and wishing him a speedy recovery. He enjoys great respect among the population, with his presence he has been able to change [at least in part] the mentality, strengthen coexistence, the sense of brotherhood, the awareness that faith is a personal matter, while belonging to the State represents a common good.” This latter problem is central in Iraq “as in general in the countries of the Middle East: from Syria to Lebanon, from Iraq to Palestine, we must put an end to extremist and violent ideology, to war, death, destruction, we must resort to soft diplomacy.”

The Chaldean patriarch looks to the example of other Arab nations, including those in the Gulf, where “there is no longer such an extremist religious ideology, faith is the basis, but the regime, the system of government must be civil. And we must work - he adds - to build a state of law, justice, equality, in which respect and security are ensured”. Furthermore, Iraq must enhance its cultural and archaeological heritage, “the real black gold” as he often repeats, because “thanks to tourism and pilgrimages it is possible to support the country's economy: one day the oil will run out, but the antiquities, the treasures, if preserved, will remain”. The enhancement of the heritage, he warns, must be accompanied by a commitment to peace because “the many war fronts are worrying and we do not know what will happen. Syria and Lebanon are also elements of uncertainty, even if I hope we can continue on this path of political, national and economic construction”.

Returning to the church in Ur, the patriarch hopes that it can become "a sign of openness" and help "to reason and see better. I'll give you an example: Two days ago I published - he says - a book on Islam, how a Christian looks at the Muslim faith in the elements that bring us closer as well as in the points of divergence, the trinity, the divinity of Jesus, a chapter on the Virgin Mary. I intend to distribute it in this Ramadan" he adds, also to provide them with the tools to better understand Christians who "are not Nazarenes, a term that identifies a mixed sect of Christians and Jews. I try to open the Muslim world - he says - and help them reason about the interpretation of the sacred books, as we have done with the exegesis of the text".

Finally, Cardinal Sako returns to the common concerns "for the Pope and his health. Many have written to me in recent days - he concludes - even Muslims, to underline how he represents a sign of hope, a light for humanity with his foresight, his humanity, his openness".