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March 8, 2021

After historic whirlwind visit, Pope leaves Iraq for Rome

The visit aimed to heal a divide in the country between the Islamic majority and Christian minority.

March 7, 2021

Where ISIS ruled, Pope Francis calls on Christians to forgive, rebuild

Pope Francis called on Iraq's Christians to forgive the injustices committed against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild as he visited the wrecked shells of churches and met ecstatic crowds in the community's historic heartland, which was nearly erased by the Islamic State group's horrific reign.

March 6, 2021

Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric hold historic, symbolic meeting

The meeting lasted for 40 minutes, with some concerns over the cleric's safety as he has yet to be vaccinated.

March 5, 2021

Pope begins first-ever papal visit to Iraq, urges Christians to help rebuild country

Iraqi security forces view the visit as an opportunity to show the world the improvements to the country.

March 4, 2021

Ahead of Pope visit, survivor recalls Christian church massacre in Iraq

Six Al Qaeda-linked militants stormed and seized the church, killing dozens inside. At the time, the Oct. 31, 2010 attack was the bloodiest in a drumbeat of violence that Iraq’s Christians suffered during the brutal sectarian warfare following the 2003 U.S. invasion.

March 3, 2021

American contractor in Iraq dies from 'cardiac episode' as rockets hit base hosting US troops, Pentagon says

An American contractor has died Wednesday after suffering a "cardiac episode" while sheltering in place during a rocket attack at an airbase in Iraq that hosts U.S., Iraqi and coalition troops, the Pentagon said. 

March 3, 2021

Pope Francis will still travel to Iraq despite rocket attack: 'We can't disappoint'

Pope Francis is pushing ahead with the first papal trip to Iraq despite rising coronavirus infections, hoping to encourage the country’s dwindling number of Christians who were violently persecuted during the Islamic State's insurgency while seeking to boost ties with the Shiite Muslim world. 

March 1, 2021

Pope Francis' planned Iraq trip sparks security, health fears

On Friday, Pope Francis heads to a country where ISIS tried its best to wipe Christians out altogether not so long ago. Add to the formidable pressure of lifting spirits in a war-torn country, there is a very real terrorist threat. And a raging pandemic.

February 18, 2021

Anti-vax at the Vatican? You might lose your job

The Vatican is taking Pope Francis’ pro-vaccine stance very seriously: Any Vatican employee who refuses to get a coronavirus shot without a valid medical reason risks being fired.

February 8, 2021

Pope moves ahead with plans to meet Shiite leader in Iraq

The pope will meet with priests and nuns at the site of a 2010 massacre that killed 58 people.