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    Home»News»World News
    CNS photo/Paul Haring
    2 Mins Read

    Pope Francis Just Arrived In Iraq For A Historic Visit

    By Souad LazkaniMarch 5, 2021Updated:March 5, 2021
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    On Friday, Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on a historic visit as the first pope to travel to the Middle Eastern country – giving a message of religious tolerance to the world.

    He was greeted at the Baghdad International Airport by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and celebrated upon his arrival.

    CNS photo/Vatican Media

    During his 4-day visit, the head of the Vatican will tour excavations of biblical sites and visit churches where Christians suffered terrorist attacks, according to EWTN Vatican.

    On Saturday, Pope Francis will meet with Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani.

    Receiving #PopeFrancis in Iraq 😍pic.twitter.com/zXQMnwpBw8

    — Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) March 5, 2021

    Despite being a predominantly Muslim country today, Iraq, formally Mesopotamia, has a rich and profound Christian history. However, Iraqi Christians, who have lived in the country their whole lives, have experienced terror and torture at the hands of religious extremists.

    Today, groups of young Iraqi Muslims have been working to rebuild Baghdad’s ISIS-damaged churches in hopes to show solidarity with the remaining Christian families and encourage those who left to return home.

    “I come as a penitent, asking forgiveness of heaven and my brothers and sisters for so much destruction and cruelty. I come as a pilgrim of peace in the name of Christ, the Prince of Peace,” Pope Francis said.

    #PopeFrancis to Iraqi President Salih now:

    "I come as a penitent, asking forgiveness of heaven and my brothers and sisters for so much destruction and cruelty." pic.twitter.com/YceXpoyF8b

    — Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) March 5, 2021

    “May the clash of arms be silenced! May their spread be curbed, here and everywhere! May the voice of builders and peacemakers find a hearing! The voice of the humble, the poor, the ordinary men and women who want to live, work and pray in peace,” he said prayerfully, urging the end of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance.

    That's how iraqi government welcomed #PopeFrancis!! He said in his historic speech that there should be no more extremism!! And that's the whole point, extremism is the only cause of disasters!!!
    #البابا_فرنسيس #PopeFrancisInIraq #بابا_الفاتيكان pic.twitter.com/QpRh2Mp6dM

    — youssefabouelela (@yousefabouelela) March 5, 2021
    Pope Francis The Vatican
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