Pope Francis determined on eve of Iraq visit
Updated / Thursday, 4 Mar 2021
21:23
Young girls take a selfie in front of a poster promoting the upcoming trip of Pope Francis in Erbil
Pope Francis has asked for prayers ahead of his three-day historic visit to Iraq.
It will end two decades of efforts to bring a pope to the birthplace of Abraham, the prophet central to Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths.
Few doubt the risks involved, including Vatican officials.
The Pope is entering a conflict zone in the midst of a pandemic where there are rising cases of Covid-19. Despite all that, he is pressing ahead.
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By Antonio Spadaro, SJ
Accepting the invitation from Baghdad and the local Catholic Church, Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Iraq from March 5 to 8, 2021, visiting Baghdad, on the plain of Ur, which is linked to the memory of Abraham, the city of Erbil, as well as Mosul and Qaraqosh on the plain of Nineveh. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, announced this much-desired trip by Francis on December 7. He added that the program of the trip “will take into account the evolution of the global health emergency.”
Not forgetting the Covid-19 pandemic, indeed fully aware of its grip, Francis will make his first trip after a 15-month pause. But that is not the news.