Pope Francis makes first-ever visit to Iraq

Pope Francis (R) meets with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani office

Participants arrive at the Plain of Ur, believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. Photo by Murtaja Lateef/ UPI

Pope Francis (L) told attendees at the meeting: "The blessed place brings us back to our origins, to the sources of God's work, to the birth of our religions." Photo by Murtaja Lateef/ UPI

An image of Pope Francis is displayed on a screen before the start of an interreligious meeting at the ruins of Ur. Photo by Murtaja Lateef/ UPI

Pope Francis leaves after his meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Photo courtesy of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani office

Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi (R) welcomes Pope Francis upon his arrival at Baghdad Airport on Friday. Photo courtesy of Office of the Iraqi President

A welcoming ceremony was held for the pope at the airport to start his historic tour in Iraq. Photo by Humam Mohamed/UPI

Francis said he felt compelled to make the risky visit because the people of Iraq "have suffered so much." Photo courtesy of Office of the Iraqi President

Iraqi President Barham Saleh (R) greets Francis at Baghdad's presidential palace. Photo by Humam Mohamed/UPI

"Only if we learn to look beyond our differences and see each other as members of the same human family will we be able to begin a process of rebuilding and leave future generations a better, more just and humane world," Francis said in his welcoming address at the palace. Photo by Humam Mohamed/UPI