Pope moves ahead with plans to meet Shiite leader in Iraq
Associated PressROME — Pope Francis will meet with Iraq’s top Shiite Muslim cleric, Ali al-Sistani, during a trip next month that will also include a pilgrimage to ancient Christian communities that were emptied and devastated in battles with the Islamic State group. The Vatican on Monday released the itinerary of Francis’ March 5-8 visit to Iraq, his first foreign trip since being grounded for 16 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Francis’ main reason for making the first-ever papal trip to Iraq is to encourage the country’s Christians, who faced decades of discrimination by Iraq’s Muslims before being persecuted by the Islamic State group starting in 2014. Francis’ last full day in Iraq will take him to the northern Kurdish region, from where he will visit Mosul and Qaraqosh in the Nineveh Plains, the largest Christian town in Iraq where the population fled when IS arrived in 2014.
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
Pope weighed Iraq virus risk but believes God will protect
Associated PressPope Francis visits Iraq’s war-ravaged north on last day of tour
The Hindu)
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
Pope Francis meets Iraq’s Shia leader al-Sistani
Al Jazeera
Pope Arrives In Iraq To Rally Christians Despite Pandemic
Huff Post
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, where beleaguered Christians are struggling to hold on
LA Times
Pope Francis To Make History By Visiting Influential Muslim Cleric's Home
Huff Post
March 3, 2021 coronavirus news
CNN
‘Not a good idea:' Experts concerned about pope trip to Iraq
Associated Press
Pope on Iraq trip: Worthwhile even if most watch him on TV
Associated PressPope to meet Iraqi Shiite leader Sistani in Iraq
The HinduDiscover Related
)
)
)
)
)
