- Sputnik International, 1920
Multimedia
When a picture is worth a thousand words. See what's happening in the world from a more visual perspective with Sputnik's photo galleries, infographics and other multimedia content.

Dove of Peace: Pontiff Meets Iraqi Christians During First-Ever Papal Visit to the Mideast Nation

Subscribe
In early December, the Vatican announced a papal trip to Iraq from 5-8 March, where he would visit Baghdad, Najaf, Ur — which is famous as the birthplace of Abraham — and other cities.

The papal plane landed at Baghdad International Airport after taking off from Italy’s Fiumicino Airport on Friday morning. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi arrived at Baghdad’s airport to receive Pope Francis.

The papal trip to Iraq will last until 8 March and includes visits to Baghdad, Najaf, Ur — thought to be the birthplace of Abraham — and other cities.

Ahead of the visit, the pope said in a special address to the Iraqi people that he would come to their country as a peace messenger to pray for reconciliation after the years of war and terrorism that have plagued Iraq.

Check out Sputnik's gallery to see the historic papal visit to Iraq. 

© REUTERS / Khalid al-MousilyPope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
1/15
Pope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Yara NardiPope Francis arrives to hold a minute of silence at the destroyed cathedral in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
2/15
Pope Francis arrives to hold a minute of silence at the destroyed cathedral in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Ari JalalPeople wait for the arrival of Pope Francis near the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
3/15
People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis near the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Yara NardiA security officer guards the area ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Mosul, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
4/15
A security officer guards the area ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Mosul, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Vatican MediaA motorcade leaves the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation” after Pope Francis' visit, in Baghdad, Iraq, 5 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
5/15
A motorcade leaves the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation” after Pope Francis' visit, in Baghdad, Iraq, 5 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani officePope Francis meets with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq. Picture taken 6 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
6/15
Pope Francis meets with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq. Picture taken 6 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Yara NardiGirls wave national flags as they gather at Church Square ahead of Pope Francis' arrival to visit Mosul, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
7/15
Girls wave national flags as they gather at Church Square ahead of Pope Francis' arrival to visit Mosul, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo PintoA photojournalist uses his camera from atop a broken wall near the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the Old City of Iraq's northern Mosul, amidst preparations ahead of the Pope's visit, on 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
8/15
A photojournalist uses his camera from atop a broken wall near the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the Old City of Iraq's northern Mosul, amidst preparations ahead of the Pope's visit, on 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Vatican MediaPope Francis is welcomed as he arrives for an inter-religious prayer at the ancient archaeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nasiriya, Iraq, 6 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
9/15
Pope Francis is welcomed as he arrives for an inter-religious prayer at the ancient archaeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nasiriya, Iraq, 6 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Yara NardiA girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
10/15
A girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Iraqi Prime Minister Media OfficeIraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi welcomes Pope Francis at Baghdad International Airport, in Baghdad, Iraq, 5 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
11/15
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi welcomes Pope Francis at Baghdad International Airport, in Baghdad, Iraq, 5 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Ari JalalPeople wait for the arrival of Pope Francis near the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
12/15
People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis near the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Khalid al-MousilyA nun wearing a protective face mask greets Pope Francis during a prayer for war victims at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
13/15
A nun wearing a protective face mask greets Pope Francis during a prayer for war victims at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Khalid al-MousilyJournalists and people wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
Pope Francis Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
14/15
Journalists and people wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at “Hosh al-Bieaa”, Church Square, in Mosul's Old City, Iraq, 7 March 2021.
© REUTERS / Ahmed JadallahPope Francis waves as he leaves after holding a mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of "Saint Joseph" in Baghdad, Iraq, 6 March 2021.
Pope Francis' Historic Visit to Iraq - Sputnik International
15/15
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after holding a mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of "Saint Joseph" in Baghdad, Iraq, 6 March 2021.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала