“Pray that Iraq may find peace, unity and prosperity in reconciliation and in harmony among its different ethnic and religious components” and that everyone “may commit themselves to using all efforts to protect civilians as an imperative and urgent obligation”, starting with the western districts of Mosul. Pope Francis made this twofold appeal at the end of his general audience today, before greeting the Italian-speaking pilgrims. “I am pleased to welcome the delegation from the Iraqi Supervisory Board, accompanied by His Eminence Cardinal Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue”, Pope Francis said. This morning, before the start of the general audience, the Pontiff received in the small hall of the Paul VI Hall the participants in the meeting of the Permanent Committee for Dialogue between the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Iraqi Supervisory Board. “The richness of the dear Iraqi nation lies precisely in this mosaic which represents unity in diversity, strength in union, and prosperity in harmony”, he continued. Then the appeal: “Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to advance on this path and pray that Iraq may find peace, unity, and prosperity in reconciliation and in harmony among its different ethnic and religious components”. “My thoughts go to the civilian populations trapped in the western districts of Mosul and to the people displaced by war, to whom I feel united in suffering, through spiritual closeness and prayer”, Pope Francis said. “In expressing my profound sadness for the victims of the bloody conflict, I renew my appeal that everyone may commit themselves to using all efforts to protect civilians, as an imperative and urgent obligation”.