Pope Francis visited a Baghdad cathedral that is now a shrine to 48 Christian martyrs who died Oct. 31, 2010, when militants belonging to a group linked to al-Qaida laid siege to the church.
Pope Francis in Iraq
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Iraq is Pope Francis’ most complicated papal trip ever
The journey to Iraq will be a high-risk standout among the pope’s various efforts to bring attention to the church’s margins.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic
Francis’ plane touched down at Baghdad’s airport just before 2 p.m. local time. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on hand to greet him.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq answers the prayers of the Christians who refuse to flee — and face extinction
Refugees from the attacks on Christians in Iraq cannot help but feel bitter and forgotten, writes Luma Simms. Pope Francis’ upcoming visit is an opportunity to begin healing and seek religious harmony.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
In video message, Pope Francis tells Iraq he will be visiting as a ‘penitent’ and a ‘pilgrim of peace’
Pope Francis told Iraqis that he will be visiting their country in three different roles: as a “penitent pilgrim,” a “pilgrim of peace” and a “pilgrim of hope.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
‘The Iraqi people are waiting for us’: Why Pope Francis is determined to take this historic trip
“They awaited St. John Paul II, who was not permitted to go. One cannot disappoint a people for the second time,” Pope Francis said ahead of his apostolic visit to Iraq, March 5 to March 8.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Nobody at the Vatican wants Pope Francis to go to Iraq right now. Why is he so set on going?
What is driving Pope Francis to enter a war zone, during a global pandemic?
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis in Iraq: Everything you need to know about the historic trip
Pope Francis is making history with his trip to Iraq. Follow along.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Pope Francis’ visit will assure Iraqis they have not been forgotten
Pope Francis, by visiting a Shia majority country, completes his pastoral embrace of the Islamic world, begun two years ago with his trip to Abu Dhabi when he met with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb.