Papal Visit to Iraq Deemed a Success
03/17/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – With the conclusion of the papal visit to Iraq earlier this month came hopes that the visit will foster greater interreligious dialogue within the country. The visit was received well by the rest of the Arab world as well, with many publications and news outlets in the region running live feeds of the visit. Many top figures within the Islamic world, including Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar University, and a leading figure within Sunni Islam, welcomed the Pope’s visit and wished him well in his trip, expressing desires that it would achieve its desired outcome to continue down the path of human fraternity.
Vatican Releases Itinerary for Papal Visit to Iraq Despite Safety Concerns
02/15/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – The Vatican is confident that a papal visit to Iraq next month will happen and has released the itinerary for a three-day visit, which is set to begin on March 5 when the Pope touches down in Baghdad. It has been almost two years since an invitation to visit the country was delivered to the Pope in hopes that such a visit would help heal the wounds in Iraqi society after years of bloodshed, and last December, the Pope announced his intention to accept the Iraqi invitation.