KRG PM leads delegation to Italy to meet his counterparts and asks for Vatican support

The Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani led a senior delegation to Italy, where they met his Italian counterparts and the Pope Francis at Apostolic Palace on March 2 in Vatican City.

They conversed the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levante (ISIL) and the incessant battle against their militants, restating that an international coalition is needed to effectively eradicate the group.

Mr Barzani explained that various ethnicities were forced by ISIL to flee their homes, and they now live together in Kurdistan in peace. He clarified how that the government and people of Kurdistan have received them and treated them with humanity.

The Prime Minister told the Pope that the KRG will continue to support the refugees to full extent but the rising number of refugees and internally displaced people in Kurdistan has put exceptional amount pressure on the government; asking Pope Francis to encourage the international community to provide more aid.

Pope Francis recognised the KRG’s efforts, and praised the atmosphere in Kurdistan that has provided equally for people from different religious backgrounds.

Pope Francis, following the recitation of the Marian Prayer on Sunday remembered the people of Syria and Iraq saying 'Unfortunately, there is no cessation in the dramatic news about violence, kidnapping and harassment against Christians reaching us from Syria and Iraq.

Mr Barzani was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, Head of Foreign Affairs Department and the Minister of Endowment & Religious Affairs and the KRG representative to Italy.