The Iraqi President, Barham Salih, received, on Tuesday, a written letter from Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican, in which he thanked him for the “warm welcome and generous hospitality” he received during his visit to Iraq at the beginning of last month.

Saleh’s account on Twitter published a picture of the Pope’s message, while his media office said it was carried to the president by  hand through  Vatican ambassador to Iraq, Mija Scofar.

In the message, the Pope said that Iraq “is called to show everyone, especially in the Middle East, that it is able, despite the differences, to cooperate in harmony and harmony in building civil life and in consolidating bonds of brotherhood and solidarity.”