٠٠:٠٢:٤٩Pope Francis left Baghdad on Monday following his four-day trip to Iraq.
The historic visit came as part of an initiative to preserve the country's ancient Christian communities and support the return of Christians driven out by ISIS.
The head of the Roman Catholic church visited Najaf, where he met influential Shia Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husaymi Al-Sistani, and Mosul, where he prayed in Hosh al-Bieaa for the comfort of the souls of war victims. After that, he visited the Church of the Immaculate Conception In Qaraqosh where he recited the Angelus Prayers with believers. Upon return, the Pope celebrated the Holy Mass at Erbil's Franso Hariri stadium.
His visit also included meetings with Iraq's President Barham Salih, local Christian leaders and a visit to the ancient city of Ur, the biblical birthplace of patriarch Abraham, as well as the Nineveh Plain, whose residents witnessed grave atrocities committed by ISIS.
Iraq: Pope Francis leaves Baghdad after historic visit
Pope Francis left Baghdad on Monday following his four-day trip to Iraq.
The historic visit came as part of an initiative to preserve the country's ancient Christian communities and support the return of Christians driven out by ISIS.
The head of the Roman Catholic church visited Najaf, where he met influential Shia Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husaymi Al-Sistani, and Mosul, where he prayed in Hosh al-Bieaa for the comfort of the souls of war victims. After that, he visited the Church of the Immaculate Conception In Qaraqosh where he recited the Angelus Prayers with believers. Upon return, the Pope celebrated the Holy Mass at Erbil's Franso Hariri stadium.
His visit also included meetings with Iraq's President Barham Salih, local Christian leaders and a visit to the ancient city of Ur, the biblical birthplace of patriarch Abraham, as well as the Nineveh Plain, whose residents witnessed grave atrocities committed by ISIS.
Pope Francis left Baghdad on Monday following his four-day trip to Iraq.
The historic visit came as part of an initiative to preserve the country's ancient Christian communities and support the return of Christians driven out by ISIS.
The head of the Roman Catholic church visited Najaf, where he met influential Shia Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husaymi Al-Sistani, and Mosul, where he prayed in Hosh al-Bieaa for the comfort of the souls of war victims. After that, he visited the Church of the Immaculate Conception In Qaraqosh where he recited the Angelus Prayers with believers. Upon return, the Pope celebrated the Holy Mass at Erbil's Franso Hariri stadium.
His visit also included meetings with Iraq's President Barham Salih, local Christian leaders and a visit to the ancient city of Ur, the biblical birthplace of patriarch Abraham, as well as the Nineveh Plain, whose residents witnessed grave atrocities committed by ISIS.