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Pope’s schedule in Iraq reveals two missions

In the first-ever papal visit to the country, Pope Francis plans to highlight the plight of Iraq's dwindling Christian population and promote interfaith dialogue.
Pope Francis holds the Holy Book of Prayers as he celebrates Mass for the Epiphany on January 6, 2021 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. (Photo by REMO CASILLI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by REMO CASILLI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Vatican released the itinerary of Pope Francis’ March visit to Iraq on Monday. The schedule, packed with events and meetings with religious and political figures across the country, reveals a trip with two missions: to highlight the plight of the country’s dwindling Christian population and to promote interfaith dialogue. 

The March 5-8 trip will be Francis’ first foreign outing in 16 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. His touchdown at Baghdad International Airport comes amid an uptick of new coronavirus cases in the country, growing influence of armed groups and a pair of bombings in Baghdad claimed by the Islamic State. The Catholic leader says now is the time to extend a visit to some of the oldest Christian communities in the world. 

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