• Christian volunteers hold Iraqi and Vatican flags as they decorate streets ahead of the planned visit of Pope Francis, in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Reuters
    Christian volunteers hold Iraqi and Vatican flags as they decorate streets ahead of the planned visit of Pope Francis, in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Reuters
  • Choir members practise at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold a mass, in Baghdad. Reuters
    Choir members practise at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold a mass, in Baghdad. Reuters
  • Workers at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral. The visit from March 5 to 8 will be the first trip abroad by Pope Francis since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters
    Workers at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral. The visit from March 5 to 8 will be the first trip abroad by Pope Francis since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters
  • People practise hymns that will be played during the Mass to be held by the pontiff in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters
    People practise hymns that will be played during the Mass to be held by the pontiff in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters
  • The visit will also be the first time Iraq welcomes the sovereign of the Vatican City. Reuters
    The visit will also be the first time Iraq welcomes the sovereign of the Vatican City. Reuters
  • A soldier passes the entrance of St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold Mass. Reuters
    A soldier passes the entrance of St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold Mass. Reuters
  • From about 1.5 million Christians prior to the US-led invasion, only an estimated 250,000 remain in the country today.. Reuters
    From about 1.5 million Christians prior to the US-led invasion, only an estimated 250,000 remain in the country today.. Reuters

Iraq

Iraqi Christians prepare for the Pope's visit - in pictures

Pope Francis is making a landmark visit to Iraq on March 5

The National

February 25, 2021

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