Intense preparations before pontiff meets Iraqi ayatollah
Associated PressBAGHDAD — In Iraq’s holiest city, a pontiff will meet a revered ayatollah and make history with a message of coexistence in a place plagued by bitter divisions. Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani are to meet on Saturday for at most 40 minutes, part of the time alone except for interpreters, in the Shiite cleric’s modest home in the city of Najaf. “Najaf did not make it easy,” said one Christian religious official close to the planning from the Vatican side, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the visit’s delicacy. Iraqi government and religious officials are concerned these militias could carry out rocket attacks in Baghdad or elsewhere to show their displeasure over al-Sistani’s meeting with Francis. “I see the pope’s visit to Najaf as the culmination of a global movement in the Islamic-Christian tradition to promote security and peace in our country,” Iraq’s Culture Minister Hassan Nadhem told the press recently.
History of this topic
Pope Francis reveals two attempts on his life during 2021 visit to Iraq
CNN
Pope Francis presses Muslim dialogue in first papal visit to Bahrain
Firstpost
The Latest: Pope Francis delivers sermon in Baghdad church
Associated Press
Pope Francis, Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric Hold Historic Meet; Deliver Powerful Message of Peaceful Coexistence
News 18
Pope Francis Holds Historic, Symbolic Meeting With Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric
Huff Post
Shiite powerhouse al-Sistani helped shape today's Iraq
The Independent
Pope Francis meets Iraq’s Shia leader al-Sistani
Al Jazeera
Pope Francis To Make History By Visiting Influential Muslim Cleric's Home
Huff Post
Pope moves ahead with plans to meet Shiite leader in Iraq
Associated Press
Patriarch: Pope to meet Iraqi Shiite leader Sistani in Iraq
Associated PressDiscover Related