Chaldeans and Muslims in Michigan excited for Pope Francis historic Iraq visit Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press
Iraqi Americans across metro Detroit are hoping that Pope Francis historic visit to Iraq that started Friday can help bring peace to their native land after decades of war and conflict.
With more than 90,000 residents of Iraqi descent, Michigan has one of the largest Iraqi communities outside the Middle East, many of them Chaldeans who share the pope s Catholic faith. Bishop Francis Kalabat of Southfield, who heads the Chaldean Diocese in Michigan and the eastern half of the U.S., is in Iraq to meet with the pope and help with a Mass the pope is expected to attend, said local Chaldean leaders.
Iraqi Americans across metro Detroit are hoping that Pope Francis historic visit to Iraq that started Friday can help bring peace to their native land after decades of war and conflict.
With more than 90,000 residents of Iraqi descent, Michigan has one of the largest Iraqi communities outside the Middle East, many of them Chaldeans who share the pope s Catholic faith. Bishop Francis Kalabat of Southfield, who heads the Chaldean Diocese in Michigan and the eastern half of the U.S., is in Iraq to meet with the pope and help with a Mass the pope is expected to attend, said local Chaldean leaders.