FM Inaugurates New Iraqi Embassy Building to the Holy See

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, inaugurated the new building of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, as well as a number of heads and members of accredited diplomatic missions and religious and cultural figures.

The inauguration ceremony began with the unveiling of the building’s commemorative plaque and the cutting of the ribbon to mark its official opening. The Iraqi flag was then raised, and the national anthems of the Republic of Iraq and the Vatican City State were played. This was followed by official remarks delivered by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim and Head of Mission, the Foreign Minister, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

In his address, Mr. Fuad Hussein stated that the inauguration of the new premises marked an important milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between Iraq and the Holy See, which are entering their sixtieth yea, noting that these relations are founded on shared values, foremost among them respect for human dignity, the rejection of violence, and the promotion of peace, tolerance, and coexistence among religions and cultures.

The Minister recalled the historic visit to Iraq by the late Pope Francis in March 2021 and the humanitarian messages of peace and fraternity that it conveyed, emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue and preserving Iraq’s religious and cultural diversity, stressing that Christians are an integral component of the Iraqi people. He further affirmed the state’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all components of society and strengthening the principles of citizenship, partnership, and coexistence.

The Minister also referred to his participation in the ecclesiastical Mass held in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the declaration of ecclesiastical communion for His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona. He expressed his pride in joining members of the Iraqi Christian community for the occasion, extended his congratulations to His Beatitude, and wished His Holiness Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery, noting that the Pope’s health condition had prevented their scheduled meeting from taking place.

The Minister affirmed Iraq’s commitment to continuing to develop its relations with the Holy See and strengthening joint cooperation in support of global peace, the promotion of social justice, and the dissemination of the values of tolerance and human fraternity. He explained that the inauguration of the new building reflects Iraq’s commitment to dialogue and peace, as well as to preserving its diverse society and its rich civilizational and humanitarian heritage.

The inauguration ceremony concluded with religious hymns performed by the Pontifical Institute, followed by pieces of traditional Iraqi music. The occasion coincided with the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iraq and the Holy See and the fifth anniversary of the late Pope Francis’s visit to Iraq.