Members of the militant Islamic ISIS network have claimed responsibility for the attack, which may have left as many as 50,000 people homeless.

The CCJP initiative to protect minority girls will include consultations with politicians and other decision makers at both state and national level, promoting community awareness about the problem, and providing legal help for victims.

Pope Francis was a man on a mission, says correspondent John Cookson in Baghdad on Monday morning. The question is: Did he succeed?

The Pope returns to Baghdad and departs for Rome Monday, having wound up what will be seen as a highly successful four-day historic pilgrimage.

"We know that through your prayers you continue to urge this broken world and this broken land to a time of peace, humility and prosperity," Archbishop Warda said, "with dignity of life and purpose for all."

"Today," said Pope Francis in his homily, "I can see at first hand that the Church in Iraq is alive, that Christ is alive and at work in this, his holy and faithful people."

Pope Francis’s message was simple and direct: “You are not alone,” he said. “The entire Church is close to you, with prayers and concrete charity.”

The gathering took place in Hosh al-Bieaa – Church Square – in Mosul, where four churches sit: Syriac Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syro-Orthodox, and Chaldean.