Pope Francis trip to Iraq 2021

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Pope Francis greets children in Iraq March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis' homily at Mass in Baghdad's St. Joseph Cathedral

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 6, 2021, at a Mass in the Chaldean... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the Chaldean Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph in Baghdad March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis to Chaldean Catholics: ‘Love is our strength’

Mar 6, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Mass in Baghdad on Saturday, Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians that no matter what the world thinks, love is... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting, delivered March 6, 2021, in the... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis appeals for interreligious harmony at birthplace of Abraham

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday appealed for harmony among the followers of the world’s major monotheistic religions at an interreligious meeting... Read more

Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis makes landmark visit to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday made a landmark visit to the home of Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.  Read more

Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at Baghdad’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation

Mar 5, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ address to bishops, priests, religious, consecrated persons, seminarians, and catechists, delivered March... Read more

Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis meets Iraqi Catholics in church where 48 died in 2010 terrorist attack

Mar 5, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met with Iraqi Catholic leaders in Baghdad on Friday, in a cathedral where 48 people were martyred during... Read more

Pope Francis gives his address at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address to the Iraqi authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps

Mar 5, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address to the Iraqi authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps,... Read more

Pope Francis addresses local authorities at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Iraq: ‘The name of God cannot be used to justify acts of murder’

Mar 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In his first speech in Iraq, Pope Francis called for an end to violence and extremism so that ordinary Iraqis... Read more

Pope Francis boards the papal plane to Iraq on March 5, 2021. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis meets with Iraqi refugees before flight to Baghdad

Mar 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met with Iraqi refugees in Rome early Friday before his flight to Baghdad.  Read more

Pope Francis prays before the Salus Populi Romani icon in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major Dec. 8, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis entrusts Iraq trip to Virgin Mary’s protection

Mar 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

On the eve of his departure for a three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis visited a Rome basilica to ask... Read more

The restored Marian statue damaged by Islamic State during its occupation of Karamles, Iraq. Photo credits: Rocchi/SIR.

Pope Francis will bless this Virgin Mary statue desecrated by Islamic State

Mar 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Iraqi Catholics have asked Pope Francis to bless a statue of the Virgin Mary that was desecrated by the Islamic... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015. Credit: Bohumil Petrik.

Pope Francis says he is coming to Iraq as ‘a pilgrim of peace’

Mar 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A day before he departs for Baghdad, Pope Francis sent a video message to the Iraqi people, saying that he... Read more

The Catholic University of Erbil in Ankawa, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Credit: Aid to the Church in Need.

Catholic charity gives boost to Iraqi Christian students on eve of papal visit

Mar 3, 2021

A Catholic charity launched a $1.8 million project helping Christian students on the eve of the historic papal visit to... Read more

Children of families that sought refuge in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, April 11, 2015. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Christians and Muslims alike welcome Pope Francis' trip to Iraq

Mar 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Iraqi Christians and Muslims alike have expressed excitment for Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to Iraq, an aid worker based in... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a Lamborghini Huracán at the Vatican on Nov. 15, 2017.

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

Mar 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Christians in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains were able to rebuild a nursery school and other facilities destroyed by the Islamic State... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis calls for end to ‘bloody clashes’ in Burma

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis appealed on Wednesday for an end to “bloody clashes” and the release of political leaders in Burma.  Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil at the Chaldean cathedral in Erbil, Iraq, April 12, 2015. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Archbishop Warda: With papal visit, world will see ‘joyful people’ of Iraq

Mar 2, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Erbil said he hopes with Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, the world will see a... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates daily Mass in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Apostolic nuncio in Iraq tests positive for COVID-19 five days before papal trip

Feb 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

The apostolic nunciature in Iraq reported on Sunday, Feb. 28 that the Nuncio Mitja Leskovar, has tested positive for COVID... Read more

The official logo of Pope Francis' visit to Iraq. Credit: Saint-Adday.

Where is Pope Francis going in Iraq and why? A CNA Explainer

Feb 25, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In a week’s time Pope Francis is expected to make history by becoming the first pope to travel to Iraq.... Read more