Kurdistan and the Vatican: A Lasting Bond

The diplomatic relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the Holy See is a modern partnership that began in November 2005 with President Masoud Barzani’s official meeting with Pope John Paul II, establishing a precedent for high-level dialogue.

This foundation was strengthened in February 2011 when President Barzani met Pope Benedict XVI, who commended the region’s religious tolerance.

The partnership took on profound humanitarian significance after 2014, when the Kurdistan Region became a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands displaced by the IS terror

In response, the Vatican provided material aid, including a financial donation from Pope Francis in 2015.

The relationship reached a historic peak with Pope Francis’s visit to Erbil in March 2021, where he celebrated Mass and publicly acknowledged the region’s role as a protector.

This enduring strategic and humanitarian dialogue continues, as evidenced by President Barzani’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV in January 2026 to discuss support for communities affected by ongoing regional conflicts.