Pope Francis's arrival in Baghdad on Friday marks the start of a hectic four days for the 84-year-old pontiff.
A detailed itinerary released by the Vatican shows how tightly packed the Pope's schedule is as he travels south from the capital to the cities of Najaf and Nasiriyah, then back to Baghdad before heading north for events in Erbil, Mosul and the town of Qaraqosh.
The Pope's schedule in Iraq, in summary:
- Friday, March 5: Arrives in Baghdad
- Saturday, March 6: Najaf, Nassiriya, Ur
- Sunday, March 7: Erbil, Mosul, Qaraqosh
- Monday, March 8: Farewell ceremony at Baghdad's airport
Friday, March 5, 2021
7.30am (Rome) Departure for Baghdad from Fiumicino International Airport
2pm Arrival at Baghdad International Airport
2.10pm Meeting with the prime minister in the VIP Hall of Baghdad International Airport
3pm Official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad
3.15pm Meeting with the president in the private office of the Presidential Palace
3.45pm Pope Francis to speak at meeting with officials, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the hall of the Presidential Palace
4.40pm Meeting with religious figures at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, with the Pope to deliver a speech
Pope Francis overwhelmed by musical reception in Iraq
Saturday, March 6
7.45am Departure by plane for Najaf
8.30am Arrival at Najaf Airport
9am Meeting with Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani at his home in Najaf
10am Departure by plane for Nasiriyah
10.50am Arrival at Nasiriyah airport
11.10am Inter-religious meeting at the Plain of Ur, where the Pope will give an address
12.30pm Departure by plane for Baghdad
1.20pm Arrival at Baghdad airport
6pm Holy Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Baghdad; Pope to deliver homily
What is Ur and why is Pope Francis going there?
Sunday, March 7
7.15am Departure by plane for Erbil
8.20am Arrival at Erbil airport
8.30am Meeting with the president and prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in the airport's presidential VIP lounge
9am Departure by helicopter for Mosul
9.35am Arrival in Mosul
10am Prayer for the victims of the war at Mosul Church Square
10.55am Departure by helicopter for Qaraqosh
11.10am Arrival in Qaraqosh
11.30am Visit to the Qaraqosh community at the Church of Immaculate Conception, and speech by the Pope
12.15pm Transfer to Erbil
4pm Holy Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Pope to deliver homily
6.10pm Departure by plane for Baghdad
7.15pm Arrival in Baghdad
Monday, March 8
9.20am Farewell ceremony at Baghdad International Airport
9.40am Pope's plane departs for Rome
12.55pm Arrival at Rome's Ciampino International Airport