Today, Saturday, Iraq is witnessing an unprecedented meeting between the Pope of the Vatican Francesco and the supreme Iraqi Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, in one of the most important stops of the Pope’s historic visit to the country.

After the Pope met the leaders of the Catholic communities Friday in Baghdad, today he is visiting the 90-year-old Sistani, who rarely appears in public, at his home in Najaf, 200 km south of Baghdad.

The two men will hold a closed meeting for an hour, two years after Pope Francesco signed the Human Fraternity Document with the Imam of Al-Azhar.

In some Najaf streets, paintings were erected with pictures of the Pope and Sistani, with a phrase in English meaning "the historic meeting."

At Baghdad International Airport, where the Pope landed on Friday, a grand banner was raised calling for coexistence and interfaith dialogue.

On Friday noon, Pope Francesco began a visit to Iraq, the first of its kind in the history of this country, and the first for him abroad since the start of the Corona pandemic, and it will include 5 provinces and will continue until March 8.

Iraqi President Barham Salih receives the Pope of the Vatican yesterday (Reuters)

And Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi was at the forefront of his future.

In his Friday speech in Baghdad, the Pope touched on sensitive topics and issues facing Iraq during his meeting with President Barham Salih.

He said, "Let the weapons be silent! Let us put an end to their proliferation here and everywhere! Let the private interests cease, the external interests that do not care about the local population. Let us listen to those who build and make peace!"

He also called for "addressing the scourge of corruption, abuse of power, and everything that is illegal."

The Pope's visit takes place amidst tight security measures, and in light of a complete closure caused by the high number of infections with the Coronavirus, with more than 5,000 infections per day.

The Pope received an anti-virus vaccine.

After Najaf, the Pope heads to Ur, the archaeological site believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, may blessings and peace be upon him.