Pope Francis to visit Iraq next year

ANKARA

Pope Francis will visit Iraq next year, Vatican media reported on Monday.

The four-day visit from March 5-8 will cover four Iraqi provinces, i.e. Baghdad, Erbil, Mosul, and Qaraqosh, according to the Vatican News website.

More details will be released later, taking into consideration the coronavirus health emergency around the world.

The visit has been planned upon the invitation of the Republic of Iraq and the local Catholic church. It will be the pontiff's first overseas visit since the COVID-19 pandemic.