The 84-year-old pontiff covered more than 1,400 kilometres inside the country, bringing encouragement to its diminished Christian community and extending a hand to Shiite Muslims by meeting top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani

Iraq's President Barham Saleh (C-R) and his wife Sarbagh (C-L) escort Pope Francis (C) during the farewell ceremony for the pontiff at the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International Airport on March 8, 2021.

Pope Francis departs Iraq after historic visit

The pope, making his first foreign trip since the coronavirus pandemic swept Europe a year ago, will arrive in Iraq on Friday before embarking on a packed schedule of events through to Sunday

Francis is fulfilling the dream of a predecessor, John Paul II, by visiting Iraq

Pope Francis departs Iraq after historic visit

Pope says he will visit Iraq as 'pilgrim of peace'

# historic trip en

Pope Francis departs Iraq after historic visit

Pope says he will visit Iraq as 'pilgrim of peace'