Middle East
There are no paintings or black-and-white photos depicting how previous popes visited Iraq. Until Pope Francis’s plane touched down in Baghdad on Friday, no head of the Catholic Church had ever made the trip.
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
These are the historic images. And they capture the emotional mix of excitement and somberness marking the multiday event.
On Saturday, speaking at an interreligious gathering near the traditional birthplace of the patriarch Abraham, the pope called for an end to violence, noting that all faiths “look up at the same sky.”
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Francis descends the aircraft that transported him to Baghdad on Friday.
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Kadhimi receives Francis upon the pope's arrival in Baghdad.
Iraqi Prime Minister's Facebook/AFP/Getty Images
Iraqi Prime Minister's Facebook/AFP/Getty Images
As Francis makes his way across Iraq, the masks on display record how the 84-year-old leader, himself recently vaccinated for the coronavirus, is visiting despite the pandemic and the risk of his trip becoming a superspreader event.
The massive security presence tells of the ongoing flashes of violence and political instability that still plague Iraq almost two decades after the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi Prime Minister's Facebook/AFP/Getty Images
The different religions and traditions given a stage speak to Iraq’s historic diversity, despite the embattled state of its dwindled Christian communities.
And the faces of Iraqis — the smiles, tears and lingering fears — reflect the uncertain road ahead for the war-ridden country at a time of great political and economic hardship.
Iraqi Prime Minister's Facebook/AFP/Getty Images
Iraqi President Barham Salih, right, welcomes the pope during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Baghdad.
Ahmed Jalil/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Ahmed Jalil/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Men play cards at a teahouse in Irbil, Iraq, in front of a TV showing live footage of the pope's visit on Friday.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
People attend a celebration in a public square ahead of the pope's visit in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh, about 20 miles from Mosul.
Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP/Getty Images
Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP/Getty Images
A motorcade leaves the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation after the pope's visit to Baghdad.
Vatican Media/Reuters
Vatican Media/Reuters
Security guards surround the pope at the cathedral.
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Francis greets onlookers as he enters the cathedral, where he would later give a speech.
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Three children arrive to see the pope during his meeting at the cathedral.
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Francis addresses a meeting at the presidential palace in Baghdad.
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Kadhimi and Francis speak in the lounge of the Baghdad airport.
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Salih, right, welcomes Francis at the presidential palace.
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Ayman Henna/AFP/Getty Images
Francis is greeted by children upon his arrival at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images
Francis, in the black car, arrives at a meeting near the archaeological area of the Sumerian city-state of Ur.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Andrew Medichini/AP
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani meets with Pope Francis and his delegation.
-/Ayatollah Sistani's Media Office
-/Ayatollah Sistani's Media Office
Francis is welcomed as he arrives for an interreligious service at Ur.
Reuters
Reuters
Francis speaks during the service at Ur.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
An Iraqi priest celebrates as people wait for the arrival of Francis in the town of Qaraqosh.
Ari Jalal/Reuters
Ari Jalal/Reuters
Francis waves to the crowd as he arrives to conduct Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil.
Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images
Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images
People wait for Francis to hold the Mass in Erbil.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Francis celebrates Mass.
EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
People in Erbil wait for Mass to start.
Azad Lashkari/Reuters
Azad Lashkari/Reuters
Francis leads a prayer for victims of war in Mosul's damaged Hosh al-Bieaa, or Church Square.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Andrew Medichini/AP