Pope Francis trip to Iraq 2021 Archives

Pope Francis trip to Iraq 2021

Pope Francis: Keep praying for ‘our sorely tried brothers and sisters’ in Iraq

March 10, 2021

He said that by visiting Iraq, he had fulfilled a dream of his predecessor Pope John Paul II, who had hoped to mark the turn of the millennium with a journey “in the footsteps of Abraham,” but was unable to travel to the ancient city of Ur.

Pope Francis: Meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric offered ‘universal message’ of fraternity

March 08, 2021

During an in-flight press conference on the flight back to Rome March 8, the pope was asked if the meeting with al-Sistani was a message to the religious leaders of Iran.

How Pope Francis used a donated Lamborghini to help rebuild Iraqi Christian communities

March 03, 2021

After blessing and signing the luxury sports car, the Vatican auctioned it off six months later via Sotheby’s in London for $950,000, a portion of which was earmarked to help with the restoration of destroyed towns in the Nineveh Plains. The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need was entrusted with 200,000 euros (around $240,000), which it used to complete two building projects in Iraq, according to its director in Rome.

Iraqi government imposes COVID restrictions weeks before papal visit

February 15, 2021

These measures come in the weeks leading up to Pope Francis’ March 5-8 trip to Iraq. The pope’s schedule includes a Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Baghdad on March 6 and a visit to the Syriac Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Bakhdida March 7.