Pope Francis visits Iraq – in pictures

Pope Francis touched down on Friday for a historic visit to Iraq where he will urge the country's dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution , brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first-ever papal visit. The pope, who wore a face mask during the flight, kept it on as he descended the stairs to the tarmac and was greeted by two masked children in traditional dress. He was visibly limping in a sign his sciatica, which has flared and forced him to cancel events recently, was possibly bothering him. He has a packed schedule during his four-day visit, meeting officials, Christians and the Iraqi people in the capital, the south and the north. After spending Friday afternoon meeting officials at the Presidential Palace, he will spend the evening at the Lady of Salvation church – the site of a deadly terror attack in 2010. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis’ “message of peace and tolerance” and described the visit as a historic meeting between the “minaret and the bells”. Among the highlights of the Pope's visit is a private meeting Saturday with the country's top Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani , a revered figure in Iraq and beyond. Follow live coverage here Mosul prepares for Pope Francis On Saturday, he will visit the historic site of Ur, which is thought to be where the patriarch Abraham was from. Christians across the country prepared for the Pope's arrival as roads were repaved, streets cleaned and greenery pruned before the big visit. It's not the first papal visit to the region.

Pope Francis visits Iraq – in pictures

Pope Francis is in Iraq for a four-day visit and will meet officials, the Christian community and others as he tours the country