22.01.2026 00:06
Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, met with the Pope in the Vatican. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Barzani said, "I asked the Pope for help for the Kurds. I requested him to support the Kurds."
According to a written statement from Barzani's office, KDP leader Barzani met with Pope Leo XIV today in the Vatican.
BARZANI'S VISIT TO THE POPE
In the statement, it was noted that the President of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, warmly welcomed Barzani, and both parties expressed their satisfaction at coming together. They regarded the meeting as an opportunity to exchange views on important issues concerning the region and the world.
Both sides wished for peace and stability to prevail in the world and for the suffering and hardships of the peoples to come to an end. During Barzani's visit to the Vatican, he was accompanied by the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (IKBY) Ano Cewher, the Representative of IKBY in Italy Rezan Heme Salih, and Iraq's Ambassador to the Vatican Rahman Ferhan el-Amiri.
"I ASKED THE POPE FOR HELP FOR THE KURDS"
On the other hand, Barzani made statements to reporters after the meeting. In response to the question of what he discussed with the Pope, Barzani said, "I asked the Pope for help for the Kurds. I asked him to support the Kurds."
Mesud Barzani had previously visited the Vatican in 2014 for high-level contacts.