Pope Francis wants first papal visit to Iraq

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Monday said that he wants to travel to Iraq next year, which would be the first ever papal trip there.
Francis made the improvised remark in an address to members of a group of charities that help Christians in the Middle East and other areas. “A constant thought accompanies me when I think of Iraq,” he said in prepared remarks, then adding: “Where I have the will to go next year.”
In 2000, the late Pope John Paul wanted to visit the ancient Iraqi city of Ur, traditionally held to be the birthplace of Abraham but negotiations with then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein broke down. (Reuters)