Despite the imminent threat caused by the unpredictability of several factions and armed groups hidden in the country, the number one of the Catholic Church announced his visit to Iraq from 5 to 8 March 2021.
This visit demonstrates the importance that Pope Francis shows towards the Christian community of this country, estimated today at 500 thousand members, whereas it was estimated at more than 1 million a decade ago during the reign of Saddam Hussein.
After the American incursion in 2003, many of them fled to neighbouring countries fleeing the pressure and atrocity of radical Islamic movements,
Several churches were destroyed and burned after serving as courts and prisons for Christians accused of opposing the Koran.
At 84 years of age, Pope Francis is the first pope to visit Iraq and this will surely be one of the greatest challenges for his papacy, faced with the multiple wars and the pandemic at Covid-19 and the heavy task of recovering Christian communities throughout the world in general and in Iraq in particular.
Pope Francis will visit the cities of Baghdad, Basra, Zakho, Erbil and Mosul which was the epicentre of Islamic movements, and will end his visit in Ur which is considered the birthplace of Abraham.
I will go to Iraq, God willing, for a three day visit. I have long felt the desire to meet this people who have suffered too much », announced the Holy Father.
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