Pope assured Christians will have rights guaranteed in Iraq

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met with Pope Benedict XVI today, giving assurances that Christians and other religious minorities would have their rights guaranteed.

“I explained to his holiness that the Iraqi constitution will consider all Iraqis, Christians included, equal and will respect all religions,” Talabani said.

“All kinds of freedoms will be guaranteed for all.”

However, an Iraqi bishop present at Talabani's new conference questioned the president's assertions, saying the issue of religious freedom was problematical.

“It's very dangerous to say that the legal system must be compatible with Islamic law," said Bishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk.

Asked how different religions with different laws could be reconciled, Sako replied: “Either Islam or democracy. You have to choose.”

Talabani visited the Vatican amid tight security that closed down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and met for about 20 minutes with Benedict in private in the Pope's study.