Pope’s Iraq Program Updated

04 August, 2026

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Exaudi Staff

Leo XIV , Papal Trips

02 March, 2021

2 min

Pope’s Iraq Program Updated

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

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

Exaudi Staff

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