During his visit to Iraq, which begins on Friday, Pope Francis is due in particular to meet with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of the main leaders of Shiite Islam.
A meeting prepared for a long time by the Vatican emissaries.
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq on Friday for a historic visit.
It is the first time that a sovereign pontiff has visited this country considered to be one of the cradles of Christianity.
His visit will take place under very high security, in particular to meet Eastern Christians and local authorities.
It will revolve around two strong moments ...
A long-awaited meeting
The Pope will visit the Vatican of the Shiites, the holy city of Nadjaf, on Saturday.
This is where 90-year-old Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani resides, most often out of sight.
He is the highest dignitary of this branch of Islam.
The two men must meet face to face.
The meeting was organized with the utmost discretion, with all the same three round trips from a Vatican delegation.
François is continuing his endeavor to establish a dialogue with all the authorities of Islam.
But the Vatican has already warned that there likely won't be a joint statement.
We must let the two men tame with this first private interview.
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A mass at the Erbil stadium in front of 10,000 faithful
Sunday will take place in front of the faithful.
Even if the Pope will not be able to take advantage of a walkabout - the local authorities highlight the risk of contamination with Covid-19 -, he will still give a high mass in the Erbil stadium, whose capacity has was reduced from 40,000 to 10,000 places, again to respect physical distances.
There will be no popemobile either, it is in an armored German sedan that Pope Francis should enter the stadium.
A car without tinted windows, however, so that the faithful can see it.