Italy Funds Youth Centres for Iraqi Christians
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch as Italy plans three community centres in Iraq.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Catholicism
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Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met Patriarch Paul III Nona, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, at the Foreign Ministry. The meeting addressed efforts to encourage the return of Christians to Iraq, and Italy plans to fund three community centres for young Iraqis.
Why it matters
The Chaldean community numbers over 600,000 faithful worldwide, with roughly 300,000 in Iraq, making its presence there a central concern for the church. Italy's government says it supports protection of Christian minorities in the Middle East, and the planned centres are intended to offer a foothold for young people and families.
The Chaldean Catholic community has over 600,000 faithful worldwide, about 300,000 of whom live in Iraq. Italy plans three community centres in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul, but the funding amount and opening timeline were not disclosed.
The players
Antonio Tajani
Italy's Foreign Minister, who leads the country's diplomatic relations and oversaw the announced cooperation with Iraq.
Paul III Nona
Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, leading a community of over 600,000 faithful worldwide.
The details
The centres will offer Italian language courses and vocational training, funded through Italian Development Cooperation. Tajani and the Patriarch agreed to remain in contact about further Italian projects in Iraq.
Timeline
Tajani met the Patriarch at the Foreign Ministry on November 3, 2026.
Roadmap
The project extends Italy's longstanding support for Christian communities in the Middle East through Italian Development Cooperation. It reflects a continuing effort to keep Christian communities rooted in Iraq amid ongoing displacement.
Young Iraqis in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul are expected to gain access to Italian language courses and vocational training once the centres open. Families in those cities may also find new community space for support and services.
The takeaway
Community-based programs such as language and vocational training can help sustain communities facing displacement. Readers interested in the issue can follow how these initiatives develop over time.
Further reading
For more on the church's role in the region, see Catholicism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Esteri.
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