St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Photo by Mark / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Ishtartv.com – Kurdistan

Rezan Hama Saleh, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s representative in Italy, has highlighted the historic ties between the Kurdistan Region and the Vatican, emphasizing the role of President Masoud Barzani in strengthening relations and supporting Christian communities in the region.

In remarks published by Kurdistan24 on October 16, 2026, Saleh said that President Barzani’s official visits to the Vatican in 2005 and 2006 helped strengthen relations between the two sides and expand engagement with the Holy See.

Kurdistan Flag Displayed at the Vatican

Saleh also spoke about her recent visit to the Vatican, where she participated in events related to the election of the Chaldean Patriarch of Iraq. She expressed pride at seeing Christians carrying the Kurdistan flag inside the Vatican.

According to Kurdistan24, Saleh described the sight as a source of great happiness and pride, saying it reflected Christians’ sense of belonging to the Kurdistan Region and their pride in their national and religious identities.

She emphasized that the Kurdistan Region provides a safe environment for Christians and that Kurdish identity and Christian faith can coexist, highlighting the importance of peaceful coexistence among the region’s different religious and ethnic communities.

Vatican Recognition of Support for Christians

Saleh noted that President Barzani’s support for Christian communities has been appreciated by the Vatican. She referred to his meetings with several popes, including Pope Francis, as well as special recognition he received from the Vatican.

These contacts form part of the longstanding relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the Holy See, which has developed through official visits, diplomatic meetings, and shared concerns over the situation of Christians in Iraq and the wider Middle East.

Coexistence and Support for Displaced Christians

The Kurdistan Region is home to historic Christian communities, including Chaldeans, Syriacs, and Assyrians, who form an integral part of the region’s cultural and religious heritage.

The region has also hosted Christian families displaced from other parts of Iraq by conflict and persecution, particularly during the Islamic State (ISIS) attacks in 2014, when many families were forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

According to Kurdistan24, discussions during the recent visit also addressed troop withdrawal, the security situation in Iraq, and broader regional developments.

Saleh’s remarks underscore the importance of maintaining relations with the Vatican to strengthen the Kurdistan Region’s international engagement, promote interfaith dialogue, and support the protection of religious communities across the region.