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Iraqis welcome Pope Francis' plan to visit in 2020

Following several requests made by Iraqi leaders to Pope Francis to visit Iraq, he reveals his desire to come next year.
Pope Francis arrives to takes part in a conference in Naples, Italy June 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ciro de Luca - RC158DB9C340
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BAGHDAD — Iraqis have been looking at the announcement of Pope Francis’ plan to visit to Iraq next year with various but positive outlooks.

The announcement gained more momentum after Iraqi President Barham Salih's visit to the Vatican in November in which he encouraged the pope to visit Iraq. A year ago, the patriarch of Babylon for the Chaldean Catholic Church, Louis Raphael I Sako, was elevated to cardinal, one more indication that the pope is paying more attention to Iraq and the future of Christians in the country.

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