Francis defends traveling to Iraq

Francis defends traveling to Iraq during pandemic: 'Aware of the risks'

by Joshua J. McElwee

Pope Francis defended his trip to Iraq, despite the possibility of spreading the coronavirus in the country.

Biden says pope's Iraq trip a 'symbol of hope for the entire world'

by Christopher White

"Pope Francis' visit was a historic and welcome first for the country," said U.S. President Joe Biden, about Iraq. "It sent an important message, as Pope Francis said himself, that 'fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than death, that peace more powerful than war.' "