Pope Francis lands in northern Iraq's Mosul

Sunday, 7 March 2021 11:33

By REUTERS

Pope Francis arrived in Mosul on Sunday to pray in the decimated northern Iraqi city that was once a stronghold of the IS terror group.

The 84-year-old pontiff flew by helicopter from nearby Erbil on the third day of his historic tour of Iraq.

Francis' trip is the first papal visit to Iraq, where he has preached coexistence and urged an end to violence in the name of religion.

He will pray at a church square decimated in 2017 during the fight to drive the IS out of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.

Iraqi priests and clergy prepared to welcome the pope and Iraqi and Vatican flags fluttered in the centre of Mosul, Reuters reporters said.

More from International

72 killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon as it warns residents to leave south

Israel has warned residents to immediately leave a swathe of south Lebanon on Wednesday, ordering them to move north of Litani River on the third day of full-blown hostilities with Hezbollah, with the death toll rising to 72 people.
Landslide kills over 200 people at Congo's Rubaya mine

More than 200 people have died on Tuesday in a landslide triggered by heavy rains at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's mines ministry said on Wednesday.
80 people killed after US sinks Iranian warship

The US–Iran war widened sharply on Wednesday after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, killing at least 80 people, and NATO air defences destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile fired towards Turkey.
Emergency GCC-EU meeting to discuss Iranian aggression

An emergency GCC-EU ministerial meeting is set for Thursday, March 5, bringing together foreign ministers from GCC states and the European Union.
Omani navy rescues cargo ship crew after missile strike

The Royal Navy of Oman has rescued all 24 crew members of a cargo ship after the Malta-flagged vessel was reportedly struck by two missiles near the Strait of Hormuz.

Afternoons with Helen Farmer
1:00pm - 4:00pm

Every weekday afternoon, Helen Farmer will help you to navigate the highs and lows of life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what’s happening and where to go.
The Debrief
4:00pm - 7:00pm

Join Dane on Dubai Eye 103.8 for The Debrief from 4pm to 7pm, the perfect way to unwind after a busy day at the office.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the USA
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the US to boost economic and technology ties including AI.
New iPhone Launch - Too Soon For Apple?
Apple Inc. shares fell Monday after a closely followed analyst warned that demand for the firm’s new iPhone 16 Pro model has been lower than expected. Is this a sign that the AI software just isn’t ready?
Working From Home or Hardly Working?
Does working from home kill productivity or can it benefit staff by giving them more flexibility and a better work/life balance?

On Dubai Eye

Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE
Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?
Noon's First Female Delivery Driver
Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!