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

EU agrees to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan

The European Union agreed on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Severe floods force mass evacuations in US state of Washington

Severe rainfall has triggered major flooding in the US state of Washington, prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents.
At least 30 killed in Myanmar after junta airstrike hits hospital

At least 30 people have been killed, including patients, and 70 injured after an airstrike by the country's ruling junta hit a hospital in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, according to a rebel group, an aid worker and a witness.
Tsunami advisory lifted after earthquake hits Japan's northeast

Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
Thai PM says he will speak to Trump late Friday on Cambodia clashes

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed on Friday he was scheduled to speak to US President Donald Trump late in the day, as border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand continued for a fifth day.

Motor Mania
10:00am - Noon
The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8
Noon - 4:00pm

Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

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?

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!