(ANS - Vatican City) - Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is back in Iraq. He was sent by the Pope for Easter to convey to the families who have fled the war and violence, the closeness, the affection and prayer of the Holy Father. The Cardinal previously visited the country in August 2014.

The Fides agency reports that on Monday 30 March Cardinal Filoni made a stop in Amman in Jordan, where he visited two parishes that welcome Iraqi refugees. He also met the head of Caritas in Jordan. "I saw the preparations being made to welcome about twenty families. I admired and was edified by the generosity of so many people. It is good to see that these families can regain their dignity and an atmosphere of friendship. In the parish of Mary Mother of the Church there is an afternoon school for the children of refugees, about 300 children in all. There is also an English course for adults and a small club for men," the cardinal said.

In announcing that he was sending Cardinal Filoni to visit the refugees from Iraq, the Pope said: "In Holy Week, these families share with Christ the unjust violence of which they are victims, and participate in the suffering of Christ himself." On this occasion it was also announced that the Holy Father was also sending some Easter cakes in the form of doves and "a tangible sign of solidarity", also to the families in the north of Nigeria who are suffering from acts of terrorism and violence.

Meanwhile the Vatican delegation led by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Pope’s Department of Charity, has returned from Iraq. They also conveyed the solidarity of the Pope and the Church to displaced Iraqis, Christians, Yazidis or other persecuted minorities.

Published 1/04/2015