Pope Francis makes first-ever visit to Iraq (29 images)

Pope Francis visits Iraq, the first pontiff ever to do so. In the three-day trip from Friday to Sunday, the pope visits the nation's Catholic faithful and offers support amid the COVID-19 crisis. About 500,000 Christians live in Iraq, a drastic decline since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Pope Francis (L) speaks with Iraq's President Barham Salih (R) before departing for Rome at Baghdad International Airport on Monday. Photo courtesy of Iraqi president's press office

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Pope Francis arrives at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Arbil, Iraq on Sunday, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. Photo courtesy of Iraqi president's press office

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Francis (C) is welcomed by President Nechirvan Barzani (R) of the autonomous Kurdistan region on his arrival at Arbil airport in Iraq on Sunday. The pope visited areas hit hard by the Islamic State. Photo courtesy of Office of the President of Kurdistan/UPI

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Iraqis including Christians and Muslims wait for the arrival of Pope Francis to perform a prayer for the victims of the war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square in Mosul, Iraq. Photo by Murtaja Lateef/UPI

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