Pope Francis makes first papal visit to Iraq amid security fears BBC News

Pope Francis has made the first ever papal visit to Iraq, with the Catholic leader calling for an end to violence and extremism. It is the Pontiff s first international trip since the start of the Covid pandemic and there have also been security fears, however, the 84yearold insisted he was duty bound. He will celebrate Mass at a stadium in Irbil in the north of the country and is also hoping to foster interreligious dialogue by meeting Shia Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali alSistani.