10,000 men take care of Pope Francis in Iraq

The dad Francisco began its historic tour with Iraq. Is the first Pontiff who visits this country of Middle East and it does so in a particular context: a growing tension between the regime of Iran and the United States, terrorist attacks against American troops and a wave of coronavirus infections that have tripled since last January. This is why an unprecedented operation has been ordered for the Vatican Head of State: 10,000 men will keep his footsteps in the streets of Baghdad, Najaf, Ur, Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh during the almost four days of your trip, according to the English channel BBC.

Upon arrival at the airport in the Iraqi capital, the Dad met the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi – in charge of your reception – then do it with the president, Barham Salih |.

Even Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has warned of the risks of such a visit today: “I think this is a very important trip. Unfortunately, this comes at a very difficult time, which also makes it a dangerous trip for security and covid reasons. Iraq is an unstable situation. I will accompany Francisco with my prayers“, According to statements made to the newspaper Corriere della Sera.

FRANCISCO’S DIARY IN IRAQ

Friday March 5: Rome – Baghdad

After arriving at Baghdad International Airport at 11 am GMT, the official reception took place and at 11:10 GMT a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister was scheduled. Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. At 12 noon, an official welcoming ceremony will take place at the presidential palace in Baghdad and at 12:15 p.m. the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of the country. Barham Salih |, in the private study of the presidential palace.

At 12:45 p.m., the first speech by Francisco and will be sent to the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the lobby of the Baghdad Presidential Palace. The second speech will take place at 1:40 pm during his meeting with the bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and catechists in the Syrian-Catholic cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation”.

Saturday March 6: Baghdad – Najaf – Ur – Baghdad

On Saturday March 6, the Pope will fly at 4:45 p.m. to Najaf and it is estimated that he will arrive at 5:30 am. At 6 a.m., courtesy visit to Gran Ayatolá Sayyid Ali Husaini Sistani which will last an hour, because at 7 a.m. the Pope’s plane will surrender Nassiriya, where it will arrive at 7.50. At 8:10 a.m., the Pope’s third speech will take place during the apostolic journey in Iraq, which he will deliver during an interreligious meeting in the plain of Ur.

So, Francisco will board the plane to get to Baghdad at 10.20. At 3:00 p.m. will chair the Mass in the Chaldean Cathedral of “Saint Joseph” in Baghdad.

Domingo 7 de marzo: Baghdad – Erbil – Mosul – Qaraqosh – Erbil – Baghdad

At 4:15 p.m., the Pope will fly to Erbil where it will land at 5:20 am. At the airport, you will be received by the President of the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan and the religious and civil authorities of the region. At 5.30 p.m. he will hold a meeting with the President and Prime Minister of the Autonomous Region in the VIP Presidential Lounge at the airport and at 6 a.m. he will fly by helicopter to Mosul where it is estimated he will arrive at 5.35 am At 6 am he will perform the prayer of suffrage for the victims of the war in Hosh al-Bieaa (The church square). At 7.55 you will fly in a helicopter for blackberry and at 8:30 am he will deliver his fourth speech on the journey to Comunidad de Qaraqosh, in the church of the “Immaculate Conception” of blackberry, and the Marian prayer of the Angelus.

At 9:15 a.m., his transfer to Erbil to celebrate Holy Mass at the Stadium at 1 p.m. “Franso Hariri“of Erbil. Once completed, you will fly to Baghdad and arrive at 4.15pm.

Monday March 8: Baghdad – Rome

Francisco will come back to Roma, but before, at 6:20 am, the farewell ceremony will take place at Baghdad International Airport. At 6:40 a.m., your plane will depart for Rome, which should land at Rome International Airport. Rome / Ciampino at 9.55.

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