Vatican City, April 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met today with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, in Vatican City.

The meeting discussed the situation in Iraq, and the status of the communities in the country, particularly the Christians. The meeting also highlighted the efforts to support Christians to stay in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The Vatican State Secretary praised the role of President Nechirvan Barzani and his efforts to bring the parties together and to resolve the issues in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, reaffirming the full support of the Holy See for the Kurdistan Region.

The Vatican Secretary of State expressed his appreciation for the opening of the Catholic University in the Kurdistan Region and the efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government to support the university and its expansion. Cardinal Parolin referred to his trip to Kurdistan Region last year as constructive, and described the status of the religious and ethnic communities in Kurdistan Region as promising.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-vatican-secretary-of-state/