Nayrouz News Agency : Pope Francis has urged Iraqis to treat their Christian brothers as a precious resource to protect, not an "obstacle” to eliminate as he opens the first-ever papal visit to Iraq. The pontiff has brushed aside coronavirus and security worries to make the visit in a show of support for Iraq’s beleaguered Christians. He is urging them to stay and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution. Standing by his side, Iraqi President Barham Salih has echoed the call, saying "The East cannot be imagined without Christians.”