INA - BAGHDAD
Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona, head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and worldwide, emphasized the importance of providing security and political and economic stability to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their homes.
"I am still new to my duties, but I have met with several officials, including the Prime Minister, whom I found to be a practical individual, given his business background rather than a political one. The people today need a leader who works realistically, not just making empty promises,” Nona said in an interview with the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
He explained that "reconstruction alone is not enough. Providing job opportunities, security, and trust-building are crucial factors in the return of residents. The current efforts are commendable, but these essential requirements need to be met."
Regarding Pope Francis's visit to Iraq, Nona noted that it "represented a courageous step given the political and health circumstances at the time, and contributed to strengthening dialogue and openness among the various communities," calling for "leveraging this experience to solidify a culture of encounter with others."
“It is important to work on improving Iraq's image in international media, as many prevailing perceptions do not reflect the stable security situation within the country. Iraq is experiencing a return to normalcy, which necessitates promoting it as a tourist destination, especially since its regions contain important archaeological and religious sites for various visitors,” he noted.
He concluded by saying, "The security situation inside Iraq is largely stable, contrary to what is being promoted abroad," expressing his hope that "more people will visit Iraq to see the reality firsthand."