Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, on Oct. 20, 2023. / Credit: Gianfranco Pinto Ostuni
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 23, 2023 / 15:30 pm (CNA).
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Catholic patriarch of Jeru.
Kaduna State in northern Nigeria. / CSW.
Rome Newsroom, Jun 20, 2022 / 04:00 am (CNA).
Gunmen in Nigeria attacked a Catholic church and a Baptist church on Sunday morning, killing three people and reportedly kidnapping more than 30 worshippers..
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From flowers to Lamborghinis, the Pope is no stranger to gifts. On the first day of his visit to Iraq, he exchanged gifts with the president and Christian leaders and will continue to be given a variety of keepsakes as he continues his four-day trip.
Here are some of the items he has received and given so far.
Presidential gifts
Iraq s President Barham Salih presented a number of gifts to the pontiff, including two stone carvings by the late Iraqi artist Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, and a hand-embroidered cross featuring gold thread and semi-precious stones with a head cap from Kurdistan.
Fr. Georges Jahola in Al-Tahira church in Bakhdida in November 2016, shortly after the town’s liberation. Photo courtesy of Fr. Jahola.
Rome Newsroom, Feb 8, 2021 / 12:10 pm (CNA).- The Great Al-Tahira Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Bakhdida was charred black inside after the Islamic State set it aflame after taking control of the town in 2014. Now the restored cathedral is preparing to welcome Pope Francis during his trip to Iraq next month.
Pope Francis is set to be the first pope to visit Iraq. His four-day trip to the country March 5-8 will include stops in Baghdad, Mosul, and Bakhdida (also known as Qaraqosh).