Bells toll for Francis in jihadist-scarred Iraq

Church bells rang in Mosul and surrounding areas on Monday to honor the late Pope Francis, who was the first pope to visit Iraq, a country deeply affected by jihadist violence. At the historic Al-Tahera church in Qaraqosh, where the Pope prayed in 2021, worshippers held an Easter mass that became a tribute to him, recalling his efforts to support the Christian community in the region, which has dwindled significantly. His death is seen as a major loss for Middle Eastern Christians, with local residents mourning the Pope’s commitment to fostering unity and advocating for the return of displaced Christians to their homeland.