Interfaith dialogue will be on the agenda for the second day of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq.
He will begin with meeting Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf. Iranian-born Sistani, 90, is the highest Shiite authority figure in Iraq. He avoids direct involvement in political affairs, but has expressed solidarity with protesters demanding better public services and an end to corruption. The two will meet away from the press in Sistani’s humble home.
The pope will then visit the ancient city of Ur, believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, the common patriarch of the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths. Here, the pontiff will host an interfaith service with Christians, Muslims, Yazidis, Sabeans, and other Iraqi religious minorities.
The pope will end the day with the celebration of Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Baghdad.
