The Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nizar Al-Khair Allah, announced that the Vatican desires that the Pope travels in an Iraqi plane accompanied by Iraqi protection. Al-Khair Allah added in a statement at a discussion seminar in Baghdad, that “the Pope’s meeting with the reference Ali al-Sistani will not include any signatures or agreements.”

He added, “The Pope’s visit is historic and will have a great impact on Iraq and support for Christians. The main speech of the Pope will be from the historic city of Ur from the shrine of the Prophet Abraham in Dhi Qar Governorate, in the south of the country.”

It is scheduled that the Pope will visit Iraq on the fifth of March as it is the first visit of the Pope to Iraq.