Grand Ayatollah Sistani honors Pope Francis and interfaith peace efforts.

Pope Francis delivers a speech near the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in the old city of Mosul, northern Iraq, on March 7, 2021. Photo by Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The death of Pope Francis has prompted an outpouring of global condolences, including from Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest Shiite religious authority in Iraq. On Monday, Sistani paid tribute to the late pontiff, remembering him as a champion of peace and interfaith understanding. The two religious leaders shared a landmark meeting in 2021 that symbolized a rare and powerful moment of unity between Christianity and Islam in a region long torn by violence and sectarian divisions.

In a statement released from his office in Najaf, the 94-year-old cleric expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, calling his contributions “a special role in serving the causes of peace and tolerance, and solidarity with the oppressed and persecuted around the world.” Sistani’s words resonated across Iraq and beyond, reminding many of the profound significance of their meeting three years ago.

A historic meeting in Najaf

When Pope Francis traveled to Iraq in March 2021, he became the first pontiff to visit the country. His journey included stops in Baghdad, Erbil, Mosul, and Qaraqosh, but perhaps the most symbolically powerful moment came when he entered the modest home of Grand Ayatollah Sistani in the holy city of Najaf. The meeting between the Catholic pope and the reclusive Shiite cleric was not only unprecedented but also deeply spiritual in nature.

Sistani referred to their encounter as an “important milestone” in promoting peaceful coexistence and opposing hatred. Despite his advanced age and reclusive nature, Sistani welcomed Francis with warmth and mutual respect. Francis later reflected that the meeting was “good for my soul,” a testament to the emotional and spiritual weight carried by the interaction.

Shared messages of peace and coexistence

During their 2021 meeting, Grand Ayatollah Sistani stressed the importance of protecting Iraq’s Christian minority, encouraging Christians to remain in their ancestral homeland and live in peace. The pope, deeply moved by the devastation wrought on the Christian community by years of war and extremism, echoed that message during the remainder of his trip.

In Mosul, a city once controlled by the Islamic State group, Francis stood in the ruins of the Al-Tahera Church and prayed for the victims of war. His words implored the remaining Christians of Iraq and the Middle East to stay, despite the hardships, and to hold onto hope for a future of peace.

The pope’s visit came at a time when Iraq’s Christian population had dwindled from approximately 1.5 million before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to fewer than 400,000. The destruction caused by war and religious extremism had driven many Christians to emigrate, leaving behind empty churches and fractured communities.

A symbolic loss for interfaith dialogue

The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a papacy defined not only by internal reform within the Catholic Church but also by efforts to reach across religious boundaries. His outreach to the Islamic world — particularly to Shiite leaders like Sistani — set a new standard for interfaith diplomacy.

On Monday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also joined the wave of tributes, calling Francis “a pope who had a life devoted to serving humanity.” Reflecting on the 2021 visit, he emphasized its significance: “We recall with reverence his historic visit to Iraq... an event that laid a meaningful foundation for interfaith dialogue and promoted fraternity and compassion among people of all faiths.”

This sentiment was echoed by Benedictus Younan Hanno, the Archbishop of the Syriac Catholic Church of Mosul, who urged churches across Iraq to ring their bells in honor of the deceased pope. For Iraq’s Christian communities, the bell ringing would serve not just as a farewell, but also as a reaffirmation of the bond forged through Francis’s visit.

A rare alliance in troubled times

The Grand Ayatollah Sistani and Pope Francis were an unlikely pair — one leading the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, the other guiding millions of Shiite Muslims from the quiet halls of his home in Najaf. Yet, their shared commitment to peace and human dignity bridged centuries of religious and cultural difference.

Their encounter was especially poignant in a region where religion is too often manipulated for political power or incites violence. In contrast, Francis and Sistani showed that religion can be a force for healing and reconciliation. The 2021 meeting delivered a clear message: peace is possible when spiritual leaders speak with courage and humility.

Legacy of the pope's visit to Iraq

While Pope Francis’s physical presence in Iraq lasted only a few days, its impact continues to be felt. Churches that were once deserted began to see new life. Pilgrimages resumed. Interfaith initiatives found fresh momentum. Most importantly, communities ravaged by extremism and sectarian war were reminded that the world had not forgotten them.

For Iraq’s Christians, especially those in Mosul and the Nineveh Plains, the pope’s visit was a turning point. His presence among the ruins, his prayers in broken churches, and his solidarity with the displaced brought international attention and spiritual comfort. His meeting with Sistani added a powerful layer of legitimacy to the calls for religious pluralism in Iraq.

Mourning a shared spiritual leader

Though belonging to different faiths, both Sistani and many Muslims in Iraq viewed Pope Francis as a man of peace and moral clarity. His decision to step into Iraq — a country fraught with security risks — reflected a deep commitment to reaching all corners of humanity. Sistani’s tribute on Monday reflects that respect.

By honoring Francis’s work in promoting peace, tolerance, and the protection of the vulnerable, Sistani not only remembered a fellow spiritual leader but also reaffirmed the shared values that their faiths hold dear.

A model for future engagement

As global religious leaders reflect on Pope Francis’s passing, the legacy of his outreach to Sistani stands out as a model for future interfaith relations. In a world increasingly polarized by religion, politics, and ideology, their meeting showed that humility and dialogue can break down even the most ancient barriers.

With Sistani now approaching his own twilight years, Monday’s statement may be one of his last public tributes to a global leader. It was filled with grace and gratitude — and underscored the enduring bond formed between two of the world’s most respected religious figures.