Al Sistani reaffirms coexistence after meeting pope

Pope Francis met with Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Saturday in an historic encounter to encourage coexistence.

The historic meeting in al-Sistani's home was months in the making, with every detail painstakingly discussed and negotiated between the Ayatollah's office and the Vatican.

The cleric affirmed that religious authorities have a role in protecting Iraq’s Christians and said they should live in peace and enjoy the same rights as other Iraqis.

The Vatican said Francis thanked Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the Shiite people for having defended people from persecution during some of the most violent times in Iraq’s recent history.

Al-Sistani is a deeply revered figure in Shiite-majority Iraq and and his opinions on religious matters are sought by Shiites worldwide.

On the few occasions where he has made his opinion known, the notoriously reclusive al-Sistani has shifted the course of Iraq's modern history.

A group of Iraqis wearing traditional clothes welcomed the Pope outside al-Sistani's home, and as a masked Francis entered the doorway, a few white doves were released in a sign of peace.

Pope Fancis emerged just under an hour later, still limping heavily from an apparent flare-up of the sciatica nerve pain that makes walking difficult.

The “very positive” meeting lasted a total of 40 minutes, according to a religious official in Najaf.

The official said al-Sistani, who normally remains seated for visitors, stood to greet Francis at the door of his room, a rare honor.

Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday and met with senior government officials on the first-ever papal visit to the country, aimed at promoting his call for greater fraternity among all peoples.

It is also his first international trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and his meeting Saturday marked the first time a pope had met a grand ayatollah.