Pope Francis meets Iraqi President Barham Salih

Pope Francis arrived Friday at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi President Barham Salih.

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi welcomed the Pope of the Catholic Church at Baghdad international airport.

Pope Francis left Rome earlier on Friday for Iraq in the first-ever papal visit to the country.

Iraq in general, and Baghdad Airport in particular, witnessed an intensified security preparations ahead of his arrival.

The 84-year-old Pope will visit four cities, including Mosul, which was a stronghold of ISIS terrorist elements as its churches and buildings still suffer the effects of the conflict.

The Pope will also visit Ur, the birthplace of the Prophet Ibrahim, and will meet with the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, 90, the spiritual leader of the Shiites of Iraq.

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