Pope Francis on Sunday said Iraqi Christians were being "persecuted" and "stripped of everything" as hundreds of Christian families fled Mosul after a jihadist ultimatum. "Our brothers are being persecuted, chased away, they are forced to leave their homes without being able to take anything with them," Francis said during his weekly Angelus prayer from a balcony overlooking St Peter's Square. The jihadists, who have run the city since a sweeping military offensive that began six weeks ago, have told the thousands of Christians in Mosul they can convert to Islam, pay a special tax or leave. An earlier statement by Mosul's new rulers had said there would be "**thing for them but the sword" if Christians did **t abide by those conditions by 0900 GMT on July 19.
07-21-2014, 11:14 AM
Pope speaks out for 'persecuted' Iraqi Christians
Pope Francis on Sunday said Iraqi Christians were being "persecuted" and "stripped of everything" as hundreds of Christian families fled Mosul after a jihadist ultimatum. "Our brothers are being persecuted, chased away, they are forced to leave their homes without being able to take anything with them," Francis said during his weekly Angelus prayer from a balcony overlooking St Peter's Square. The jihadists, who have run the city since a sweeping military offensive that began six weeks ago, have told the thousands of Christians in Mosul they can convert to Islam, pay a special tax or leave. An earlier statement by Mosul's new rulers had said there would be "**thing for them but the sword" if Christians did **t abide by those conditions by 0900 GMT on July 19.
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