Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani had a brief meeting with Pope Francis at Erbil airport where the pontiff stopped off before going to Mosul.

Barzani welcomed the pope to Kurdistan, saying his visit is “a great honor for us and a source of pride for the people of Kurdistan,” according to the president’s office.

The two first met in 2015, when the Kurdistan Region was welcoming hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Islamic State group (ISIS).

Barzani told the pope that the Kurdistan Region believes in the principles of freedom of religion, forgiveness, tolerance, and co-existence. “We will protect this tradition and culture with all our might.”

“We have always been in favor of peace and dialogue. We reject terrorism and extremism. We will never allow any religious or ethnic groups to become victims of terrorism and extremism,” he said.

Describing religious and ethnic pluralism as a “source of richness and strength,” Barzani said, “Christians are a fundamental and inseparable part of Kurdistan. This peace-loving community has played and will play a critical role in reconstructing, developing and protecting this land. We will not refrain from doing everything in our power to protect them.”

“Your Holiness’ visit has brought blessings for all of us. We ask for your prayer and every assistance that you can provide for Kurdistan and its people,” said Barzani.

Pope Francis thanked Barzani for the warm reception he received, saying “For a long time, I have wanted to visit the Kurdistan Region and I am very happy that I managed to respond to your invitation today.”

“I am grateful that, despite being in war, you received the displaced Christians and other minorities from Mosul, Nineveh Plains and Qaraqosh. You opened your arms to Christians,” said the pope.

“I have come here to pray for you, Christians, and the whole of humanity. The enemy came to destroy this county but you served and opened your arms to the displaced Christians and other groups. War is destruction but you defeated the enemy and reconstructed your country.”

“I have come to bless this land and its soil. You are holy … pray for me too. I thank you for all you have done and are doing with all the religious groups. There is freedom in Kurdistan. I thank you again for your warm welcome,” said Pope Francis.

Rudaw