Pope Francis To Visit Iraq In 2021, What Is The Agenda?

Pope Francis (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis will travel to Iraq in March 2021. This was announced by the Vatican press office on Monday 7 December. What's the agenda?

Pope Francis' visit to the war-torn country could be his first trip since the COVID-19 pandemic existed. The plan is for the Pope to visit Baghdad in memory of Abraham in the city of Erbil, and Mosul and Qaraqosh on the plains of Nineveh from March 5-8, the Vatican communique said.

"The travel program will be announced in due time, and will consider the evolution of health emergencies around the world," he added.

Citing CNN, Tuesday 8 December, Pope Francis' visit represents a historic event and support for all Iraqis from all sectors, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "It also represents a message of peace to Iraq and the region as a whole, affirming a united humanitarian position in the face of extremism and conflict, and promoting diversity and tolerance and coexistence."

The Pope has long been hoping for a trip to Iraq. At a 2019 meeting of Catholic aid agencies he said he wanted to travel there in 2020.

"I continue to think about Iraq, the country I want to go to next year, with the hope that Iraq can face the future through peaceful and collective efforts for the common good of all elements of society, including religion, and not retreating into hostilities fueled by the burning conflict. of regional powers, "the Pope said at the June 2019 meeting.

For the sake of peace

Pope Francis met Iraqi President Barham Salih at the Vatican on January 25 and spoke about preserving the historical presence of Christians in Iraq. The two figures also highlighted the need to ensure the safety of Christians and make Iraq the place of the future. Salih called the planned visit a message of peace for Iraqis of all religions.

"Pope Francis' trip to Mesopotamia - the cradle of civilization, the birthplace of Abraham - will be a message of peace to Iraqis of all faiths and serve to uphold our common values of justice and dignity," said Salih.

About 1 percent of Iraq's population is Christian from some denomination. The country has experienced an exodus of Christians in recent years as Iraq has been wracked by cycles of violence, including the rise of ISIS. Extremist groups have targeted the church repeatedly since the US invasion in 2003 sparked civil unrest for more than a decade.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis visited several Muslim-majority countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His trip to the UAE in February 2019 marked the Pope's first visit to the Arabian Peninsula.

Despite the shrinking Christian population, Iraq is very important in the Bible. The Tower of Babel, Ur Abraham, the Garden of Eden and other biblical places are located in Iraq.