Pope Francis Arrives In Baghdad At Start Of Four-Day Visit

Daily Mail: Pope begins Iraq trip with a call for peace: Francis urges end to 'violence and extremism' in rousing speech on first-ever papal visit to war-battered country

* Pope Francis arrived in Iraq today for a four-day visit to the war-torn country, the first time a pope has visited

* He called for religious faiths to 'look beyond our differences' in a country home to persecuted Christians

* 84-year-old told reporters on the flight that he is 'happy to resume travel' after a year 'caged' in the Vatican

* Francis will spend his time in Iraq visiting Christian sites attacked by Islamic extremists, and on Saturday is due to meet with Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani

Pope Francis made a rousing call for peace on the first day of his historic visit to war-battered Iraq today, pleading with his hosts for an 'end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance'.

The 84-year-old, who defied security fears and the pandemic to become the first pontiff to travel to Iraq, urged religious faiths to 'look beyond our differences' in a country ravaged by ISIS that is home to one of the world's most persecuted Christian communities.

Delivering a message of hope to worshippers in Iraq, he paid tribute to the 'age-old presence of Christians in this land, and their contributions to the life of the nation'.

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More News On Pope Francis' Trip To Iraq

The Latest: Pope honors massacre victims at Baghdad church -- AP

Pope Francis Begins Three-Day Iraq Visit: Live Updates -- New York Times

Pope, starting risky trip, urges Iraq to end violence -- Reuters

Pope urges Iraq to embrace its Christians on historic visit -- AP

Pope calls for an end to 'violence and extremism' in first address of Iraq visit -- France 24

Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad for risky, historic Iraq tour -- The Guardian

Pope Francis on Iraq visit calls for end to violence and extremism -- BBC

'I Come As A Pilgrim': Pope Francis Begins Historic Visit To Iraq -- NPR

Pope Francis touches down in Baghdad, hoping to boost an ancient Christian church and a war-torn country -- CNN

Iraqi Christians in Germany have high hopes for Pope Francis' visit to their old home -- DW