
Pope Francis in Erbil
In a historic visit Pope Francis visited Iraq. Photographed on assignment for Getty Images in Erbil. March 2021

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Pope Francis arrives to the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Pope Francis arrives to the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A nun walks through the crowd at Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 06: A statue of the Virgin Mary is being prepared for display on March 6, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. The statue was rescued after the church was destroyed in the village of Karemlash. Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on March 5 beginning his historic four day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis will visit Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Pope Francis arrives to the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A nun prays at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Nuns cheer and dance at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Members of the clergy walk on the stage before Pope Francis takes the stage at the Franso Hariri Stadium March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Pope Francis delivers Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Members of the clergy in the crowd at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: Pope Francis delivers Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A nun clasps her hands in prayer at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A man kneels after receiving communion at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A priest walks through the crowd to deliver communion at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: A priest walks to deliver communion at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)

ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 07: People cheer and celebrate after Pope Francis delivered Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium on March 7, 2021 in Erbil, Iraq. Pope Francis arrived in Erbil, the final stop of his historic four-day visit, the first ever papal visit to Iraq. In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis visited Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS. Although the trip is seen as an act of solidarity, the Vatican has been forced to defend the decision to go ahead with the papal visit amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as Iraq is currently seeing a spike in infection rates as it faces a deadly second wave of the virus.(Photo by Sima Diab/Getty Images)