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Pope Francis Visits Nasiriyah on Second Day of Historic Apostolic Trip to Iraq

© AP Photo / Andrew MedichiniPope Francis is greeted by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi upon his arrival at Baghdad's international airport, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. Pope Francis heads to Iraq on Friday to urge the country's dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns.
Pope Francis is greeted by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi upon his arrival at Baghdad's international airport, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. Pope Francis heads to Iraq on Friday to urge the country's dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns. - Sputnik International, 1920, 06.03.2021
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The 84-year-old pope arrived in Iraq on Friday for a historic trip, the first of its kind since the world went into lockdown last spring.

Pope Francis visits Nasiriya for an inter-religious prayer at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Ur, the city mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the birthplace of the Israelite (Jewish) and Ismaelite (Muslim) patriarch Abraham.

Later in the day, the pontiff is set to return to Baghdad, where he will hold a mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis visited the house of Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ali Sistani in Najaf, which is considered a shrine city in Islam. It is located in Iraq's south, some 100 miles from Baghdad.

The pope became the first-ever pontiff to visit Abraham's legendary birthplace; it is thought to be among the oldest cities in recorded history, founded in about 3800 BCE. His visit is described as an act of solidarity with the Christian community and a symbolic outreach to Muslims.

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