Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad in first-ever papal visit to Iraq

Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday in the first-ever papal visit to the Middle Eastern nation, amid heightened security concerns for the pontiff in what's considered one of the most dangerous countries on Earth.

Francis departed Vatican City early Friday morning and arrived in Baghdad a few hours later.

The pope said before the trip that he felt compelled to make the risky visit to Iraq because its people "have suffered so much."

"Only if we learn to look beyond our differences and see each other as members of the same human family will we be able to begin a process of rebuilding and leave future generations a better, more just and humane world," Pope Francis, 84, said in his welcoming address at the presidential palace in Baghdad.

At: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/03/05/Iraq-Pope-Francis-arrives-in-Baghdad-historic-trip/3931614947059/

Pope Francis speaking at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.

He called for “an end to violence and extremism.”