Pope Francis trip to Iraq 2021

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Cardinal Fernando Filoni. Photo credits: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Former Vatican ambassador in Baghdad looks ahead to Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq

Feb 23, 2021

By Courtney Mares

When Cardinal Fernando Filoni served as the papal nuncio in Iraq in the early 2000s, he remained in Baghdad amid... Read more

The Iraqi flag. Credit: Alyaa99 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq comes as country faces ‘multiple crises’

Feb 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq comes at a time when the country faces severe political, socioeconomic, and security challenges. The... Read more

An Iraqi Catholic wears a facemark at a Mass in Baghdad on Dec. 24, 2020. Credit: Ahmad al-Rubaye/Getty Images/CNA.

Iraqi government imposes COVID restrictions weeks before papal visit

Feb 15, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Iraqi government has announced new COVID-19 restrictions, including the closure of all places of worship, less than three weeks... Read more

Pope Francis is presented with an Aramaic prayer manuscript at the Vatican Feb. 10, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media/Ufficio Stampa FOCSIV.

Pope Francis presented with historic prayer manuscript saved from Islamic State

Feb 10, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis was presented on Wednesday with a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript rescued from the Islamic State’s destructive occupation of... Read more

A YouTube screenshot of the KTO TV interview with Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Parolin on Vatican finances: 'Talking about a crisis is a bit excessive'

Jan 30, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pietro Parolin has said that he does not consider the Vatican’s financial scandals to be “a crisis,” but pointed... Read more

Pope Francis pictured at the general audience at the Vatican April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis to meet top Shiite cleric on Iraq visit, says cardinal

Jan 28, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani during his trip to Iraq, a cardinal said on Thursday  Read more

Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako speaks at an Aid to the Church in Need press conference in Rome, Sept. 28, 2017. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal calls for 3-day ‘Nineveh fast’ for return to peace and stability in Iraq

Jan 26, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Chaldean Catholics in Iraq are undertaking a three-day “Nineveh fast” this week to pray for peace and security in their... Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on October 4, 2014.

Pope Francis sends condolences after 32 killed in suicide bombings in Iraq

Jan 21, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said on Thursday that he was praying for the victims of two suicide bombings in Baghdad, which took place... Read more

Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral in Erbil, Iraq, on April 12, 2015. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Iraqi Catholics urged to pray at Sunday Masses that Pope Francis will be able to visit country

Jan 14, 2021

A cardinal has called on Iraqi Catholics to pray at Sunday Masses that Pope Francis will be able to visit... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda, pictured on Feb. 11, 2015. Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk.

Catholic archbishop: papal visit could ‘change trajectory’ of Christian presence in Iraq

Dec 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Iraqi Archbishop Bashar Warda has said that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the country could be a turning point for... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square May, 23, 2018.

Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in 2021

Dec 7, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in March 2021. He will be the first pope... Read more

Pope Francis during the Wednesday general audience inside the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Feb. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for Iraqis as Vatican confirms no papal visit in 2020

Feb 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Speaking to pilgrims from the Middle East during his general audience address, the pope gave a special welcome to people... Read more