Vatican Ambassador to Iraq tested positive for COVID, but confirmed Pope Francis’ trip to the country

Vatican Ambassador to Baghdad Apostolic Nuncio Mitja Leskovar tested positive for COVID-19 a week after Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, although the trip schedule remains unchanged, Efe informed on Sunday of sources of the nunciature.

“The ambassador has tested positive for the coronavirus, but he is showing mild symptoms and has isolated himself from the rest of the population,” a source for the nunciature said by phone, who requested anonymity.

Leskovar, from 51 years old, “Continues his work to organize the visit of His Holiness the Pope to Iraq,” said the source who added that “the infection of the ambassador will not affect the visit of His Holiness ”, which will take place from Friday 5 to 8 March.

The pontiff usually remains in the nunciatures of the countries he visits, but no details have been given on where he will sleep in Iraq.

Leskovar, of Slovenian origin and in office since May 2020, has prepared for Pope Francis’ trip in recent weeks by visiting various places in Iraq.

On February 25, the spokesperson for the highest Shiite authority in Iraq, Ali al Sistani, who will meet in the holy city of Najaf with Pope Francis, also tested positive for the coronavirus, although he did not have not been reported so far whether it will eventually. meet.

It is Pope’s first apostolic trip after more than a year due to the pandemic and a visit he had in mind for a long time to support the Christian minority of the country, victim of the persecution of the jihadists of the Islamic State group and of the violence of recent years.

Pope Francis and all journalists and clergy accompanying him on the trip will be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Iraq (40 million inhabitants) is still awaiting the arrival of the first vaccines against the coronavirus. So far, the country has counted more than 690,000 cases of coronavirus and 13,300 deaths, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization at a time when the country imposed severe measures to limit travel within the country.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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