The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has expressed its condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, revering his solidarity with Kurds and other oppressed peoples.
"It is with deep sorrow and heartfelt sympathy that we extend our condolences to the Catholic and Christian community on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis," KNK, a Brussels-based umbrella of Kurdish political and civil organisations, said. "We in Kurdistan and in the Kurdish diaspora, a land and people acquainted with suffering and perseverance, felt the warmth of his solidarity."
Since his death age 88 on 21 April, which coincided with the most significant Christian festival of Easter, an outpouring of condolences and tributes for Pope Francis has been observed globally, highlighting his progressive work in the Catholic Church and dedication to the lives of the world’s marginalised.
"He was a man whose life embodied compassion, humility, and the tireless pursuit of justice and peace," KNK stressed. "From the slums of Buenos Aires to the refugee camps of the Middle East, he broke bread with the marginalised and offered a voice to the voiceless."
KNK also honoured the late Pope’s reputation for rejecting traditional papal customs to embrace a modest way of life. “He was not a pontiff bound by gold and grandeur, but a shepherd who walked among the people – especially the poor, the forgotten, and the displaced,” they said.
Pope Francis was renowned for his anti-war stance. His advocacy for peace and equality extended to communities across the Middle East: he broke geopolitical boundaries with a historic visit to Iraq in 2021 to recognise the suffering of ISIS massacre victims, called for dialogue to protect minorities in Syria, and described the Israeli bombardment of Gaza as a possible genocide.
“In an age often dimmed by division, Pope Francis radiated as a guiding light,” KNK concluded. “He did not only preach peace; he sought to build it, brick by brick, in a world so often torn by war and hatred.”
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