VATICAN (CNS): “The Iraqi people are waiting for us; they awaited St. John Paul II, who was not permitted to go” in 1999, Pope Francis said on March 3, the same day that 10 rockets hit an air base in the country where most people are Muslim but have coexisted for centuries with Christians and other minority communities.
“One cannot disappoint a people for the second time. Let us pray that this journey will be a good one,” the pope said.
Speaking about the scheduled March 5 to 8 trip at the end of his weekly general audience, the pope told viewers, “The day after tomorrow, God willing, I will go to Iraq for a three-day pilgrimage.”
He said, “For a long time, I have wanted to meet those people who have suffered so much; to meet that martyred Church in the land of Abraham.” Pope Francis continued,”Together with the other religious leaders, we also will take another step forward in fraternity among believers.”
The pope said, “I ask you to accompany this apostolic visit with your prayers, so that it may unfold in the best possible way and bear the hoped-for fruits.”
Only several hours earlier, 10 rockets landed in and near the Ain al-Asad airbase about 161 kilometres west of Baghdad. The base hosts Iraqi, United States (US) and other coalition troops. No casualties were reported.The Associated Press reported that it was the first attack since the US struck Iranian-aligned militia targets along the Iraq-Syria border on February 26, creating fears of a series of alternating retaliatory attacks.
Iraqi officials are taking no chances with the papal visit with The National News reporting that an Iraqi Airways flight will bring Pope Francis and his delegation from Rome and that security forces will provide protection at all his stops.
“There will be a solid security plan … in all cities the Pope will visit,” said an Iraqi official
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/how-iraq-plans-to-keep-pope-francis-safe-1.1175677
