First Ever Papal Journey to Iraq Holds Promise, Challenge, Hope

On March 5-8, Pope Francis will make history by his official visit to Iraq. The pope will be present to the Christian community for events in Baghdad and Mosul as well as Erbil and Qaraqosh—beloved home of many Iraqi Dominican sisters and brothers, religious, ordained and lay. And—quite remarkably—he plans a private visit with 90-year-old Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, the most powerful Shia cleric in the world, in Shia Islam’s pilgrimage city, Najaf.

It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, planned for March 5-8, 2021.

As Dominicans, we invite you pray for the occasion asking for blessings on Pope Francis’ efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation, peace, and human dignity.

Prayer for Papal Trip to Iraq

Lord our God, grant Pope Francis health and safety to carry out successfully this eagerly awaited visit. Bless his effort to promote dialogue, enhance fraternal reconciliation, build confidence, consolidate peace values and human dignity, especially for us Iraqis who have been through painful “events” that affected our lives. 

Lord, our Creator, enlighten our hearts with Your light, to recognize goodness and peace, and to realize them. Mother Mary, we entrust Pope Francis’ visit to your maternal care so that the Lord may grant us the grace of living in complete national communion and cooperate fraternally to build a better future for our country and our citizens. Amen.

Video Promo

Here is a video made by the Dominican Family in Iraq in preparation for the visit.