Baghdad: Pope Francis has arrived in Iraq for a three-day visit. The pope was given a warm welcome at Baghdad airport on Friday. He then attended a reception at the Presidential Palace. The Iraqi government has put in place heavy security to mark the Pope’s visit. For the first time in history, a pope is visiting Iraq.

The pope landed at Baghdad International Airport on Friday. He was received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi. Two children in traditional dress greeted him. This is the pope’s first foreign visit since the outbreak of the Kovid epidemic.

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He called for the upliftment of the declining Christian population in the country and for war-torn Iraq. In two decades, the membership of the oldest Christian community in Iraq has shrunk from 1.4 million to 2.5 million. Only one percent is left now.

Most of the survivors of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq have since fled the civil war following the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Tens of thousands have been displaced by attacks by Islamic State terrorists. He says Christians in Iraq can no longer be disappointed.

Today in Najaf he will meet with Ali al-Sistani, the teacher of the Iraqi Shia Muslims. The pope will visit Erbil, Mosul, Ur and Kharakosh to attend interfaith meetings and prayer services.

Mass will be offered in Baghdad today and in Irbil on Sunday. He is also visiting Mosul. The pope will return on Monday after traveling 1,450 kilometers in Iraq amid the threat of a corona virus and terrorist attack.

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