Pope Francis makes plea for Iraq to protect its centuries-old diversity as he begins historic visit Nicole Winfield and Samya Kullab BAGHDAD Bookmark Please log in to listen to this story. Also available in French and Mandarin. Log In Create Free Account
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KHALID AL-MOUSILY/Reuters
Pope Francis opened the first-ever papal visit to Iraq on Friday with a plea for the country to protect its centuries-old diversity, urging Muslims to embrace their Christian neighbours as a precious resource and asking the embattled Christian community – “though small like a mustard seed” – to persevere.
Pope Francis opened the first-ever papal visit to Iraq on Friday with a plea for the country to protect its centuries-old diversity, urging Muslims to embrace their Christian neighbors as a precious resource and asking the embattled Christian community "though small like a mustard seed" to persevere.
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BAGHDAD - Pope Francis opened the first-ever papal visit to Iraq on Friday with a plea for the country to protect its centuries-old diversity, urging Mu.
"I'm happy to resume travel, and this symbolic trip is also a duty to a land that has been martyred for years," Francis told journalists aboard his plane.