Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq, scheduled for March 5-8, has been thrown into further question in recent days. Following the discovery of the new UK-based strain of the novel coronavirus, Iraqi authorities closed businesses and places of worship, including those where the pope was expected to hold events during his visit.

A rocket attack near the Erbil airport on Feb. 15 has also heightened security concerns, as the pope was expected to meet leaders from Iraqi Kurdistan at the airport. Despite the concerns, the Vatican insists that the trip is going forward.

Listen to “Inside the Vatican” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell look at the challenges of planning this papal trip. “When I asked some people in the Vatican, ‘Well, how is this going to be possible with the lockdown?’ They said, well, you know, there’s always an exception to a rule,” Gerry said.

Gerry and Colleen also give updates on the church’s involvement in protests in Myanmar, Pope Francis’ praise for a new Colombian law granting protections to Venezuelan refugees, and the plans for Ash Wednesday services in the Vatican.

Correction 2/17/2021: A previous version of this article stated that the pope would depart for Rome from the Erbil airport. He will fly from Erbil to Baghdad.

Links from the show:

Iraq announces Covid-19 restrictions ahead of papal trip

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo on Twitter

America Magazine’s documentary on Venezuelan refugees

America Magazine’s Lent 2021 Reflections, podcasts and more

Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning.

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