Pope Francisâ visit to Iraq alone wonât bring peace. ISIS is down, not out A landmark of destroyed churches in Mosul formed the backdrop of the Popeâs speech. Rebuilding continues, and thatâs where India must play its role. Manvendra Singh 9 March, 2021 10:36 am IST Text Size: A+ The historic visit of Pope Francis to Iraq, hoping to heal the wounds of a battle-scarred country in a region long accustomed to shocks and reverberations, could well develop into something more than mere symbolism if the intervening partners let the forces of reconciliation take their course. Otherwise, it will remain symbolic, temporary, and soon-to-be overcome by yet another cycle of violence. The Islamic State may have lost their caliphate but they still exist as a rallying thought, and that is enough to put together another ghastly atrocity.