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PEACE. Pope Francis arrives to pray for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa,' Church Square, in Mosul's old city, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Rappler compiles the most compelling images of Pope Francis' historic trip to Iraq
Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff to visit Iraq, including the birthplace of prophet Abraham, as he met with Muslim and Christian leaders and also preached that “peace is more powerful than war.”
During Francis’s trip, the first ever papal visit to conflict-stricken Iraq, he toured 4 cities, including Mosul, the former Islamic State stronghold where vast areas still lie in ruins.
At the ancient site of Ur, where Abraham was born, the Pope declared on Saturday, March 6, “From this place, where faith was born, from the land of our father Abraham, let us affirm that God is merciful and that the greatest blasphemy is to profane his name by hating our brothers and sisters.”
He later said Iraq would “always remain with me, in my heart.”
Here are the most compelling images of the Pope’s trip to Iraq.
March 5 – Arrival
A woman holds a picture of Pope Francis as she waits for his arrival, at Baghdad Airport Road, in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters
Pope Francis arrives at Baghdad International Airport where a welcoming ceremony is held to start his historic tour in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021.
Iraqiya TV/Reuters
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi walks with Pope Francis upon his arrival at Baghdad International Airport, in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Vatican Media Handout/Reuters
March 5 – Presidential Palace
Iraq’s President Barham Salih speaks with Pope Francis during a welcome ceremony, at the presidental palace in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters
Iraqi President Barham Salih and Pope Francis meet at the Presidential Palace during the Pope’s historic tour in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Vatican Media Handout/Reuters
March 5 – Our Lady of Salvation
Pope Francis visits the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation” in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Members of Iraqi security forces stand guard near a poster of Pope Francis ahead of his arrival to the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation” in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 5, 2021.
Thaier Al-Sudani
March 6 – Meeting with top Shi’ite cleric
Pope Francis meets with Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq, on March 6, 2021.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani Office Handout/Reuters
March 6 – Visiting Abraham’s birthplace
Pope Francis arrives to hold interreligious prayer at the ancient archeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nassiriya, Iraq, on March 6, 2021.
Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters
Men pray during the inter-religious prayer held by Pope Francis at the ancient archeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nassiriya, Iraq, on March 6, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
March 6 – Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral
People standing outside listen as Pope Francis holds a Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of ‘Saint Joseph’ in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 6, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
March 7 – Visiting Mosul
Girls wave national flags as they gather at Church square ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival to visit Mosul, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Pope Francis holds a minute of silence at the destroyed cathedral in Mosul’s old city, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Pope Francis prays for war victims at ‘Hosh al-Bieaa’, Church Square, in Mosul’s Old City, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters
Pope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at ‘Hosh al-Bieaa’, Church Square, in Mosul’s Old City, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters
March 7 – Praying at Qaraqosh
Pope Francis sits down before holding a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
March 7 – Mass at Erbil
People waving Vatican and Kurdistan flags greet Pope Francis as he arrives to hold a mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Yara Nardi
People carry umbrellas as they celebrate after a mass led by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Azad Lashkari/Reuters
General view of a mass held by Pope Francis at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, on March 7, 2021.
Iraqiya TV/Reuters
March 8 – Departure
Pope Francis boards a plane to depart for Rome, at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 8, 2021.
Vatican Media Handout/Reuters
– with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com
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