Pope’s Iraq Program Updated

Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Francis to Iraq (5-8 March 2021)

pope's program iraq

The Vatican today released an updated program for the Pope’s trip to Iraq, March 5-8, 2021.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Cardinal Sandri: Pope in Iraq, ‘Hope for Martyred Church’

 

Friday 5 March 2021
ROME – BAGHDAD
07:30 Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport for Baghdad  
14:00 Arrival at Baghdad International Airport  
14:00 OFFICIAL WELCOME at Baghdad International Airport  
14:10 MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER in the VIP Hall of Baghdad International Airport  
15:00 OFFICIAL WELCOME CEREMONY at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad  
15:15 COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC in the private office of the Presidential Palace in Baghdad  
15:45 MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS in the hall of the Presidential Palace in Baghdad Speech of the Holy Father
16:40 MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, CONSECRATED PERSONS, SEMINARIANS, CATECHISTS at the Syro-Catholic Cathedral of “Our Lady of Salvation” in Baghdad Speech of the Holy Father
     
Saturday 6 March 2021
BAGHDAD – NAJAF – UR – BAGDHAD
07:45 Departure by plane for Najaf  
08:30 Arrival at Najaf Airport  
09:00 COURTESY VISIT TO GRAND AYATOLLAH SAYYID ALI AL-HUSAYNI AL-SISTANI in Najaf  
10:00 Departure by plane for Nassiriya  
10:50 Arrival at Nassiriya Airport  
11:10 INTERRELIGIOUS MEETING at the Plain of Ur Speech of the Holy Father
12:30 Departure by plane for Baghdad  
13:20 Arrival at Baghdad International Airport  
18:00 HOLY MASS at the Chaldean Cathedral of “Saint Joseph” in Baghdad Homily of the Holy Father
     
     
Sunday 7 March 2021
BAGHDAD – ERBIL – MOSUL – QARAQOSH – ERBIL – BAGHDAD
07:15 Departure by plane for Erbil  
08:20 Arrival at Erbil Airport  
08:20 WELCOME BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF IRAQI KURDISTAN AND THE RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES OF THE REGION at Erbil Airport  
08:30 MEETING THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION at the Presidential VIP Lounge of Erbil Airport  
09:00 Departure by helicopter for Mosul  
09:35 Arrival at the landing area in Mosul  
10:00 PRAYER OF SUFFRAGE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE WAR at Hosh al-Bieaa (Church square) in Mosul Prayer of the Holy Father
10:55 Departure by helicopter for Qaraqosh  
11:10 Arrival at the landing area in Qaraqosh  
11:30 VISIT TO THE QARAQOSH COMMUNITY at the Church of “Immaculate Conception” in Qaraqosh Speech of the Holy Father Angelus
12:15 Transfer to Erbil  
16:00 HOLY MASS at the “Franso Hariri” Stadium in Erbil Homily of the Holy Father
18:10 Departure by plane for Baghdad  
19:15 Arrival at Baghdad International Airport  
     
Monday 8 March 2021
BAGHDAD – ROME
09:20 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Baghdad International Airport  
09:40 Departure by plane for Rome  
12:55 Arrival at Rome/Ciampino International Airport