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Pope Francis visits Abraham s birthplace on 2nd day in Iraq
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Pope Francis (L) speaks with Iraq s President Barham Salih (R) before departing for Rome at Baghdad International Airport on Monday. Photo courtesy of Iraqi president s press office | License Photo
Pope Francis arrives at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Arbil, Iraq on Sunday, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. Photo courtesy of Iraqi president s press office | License Photo
Francis (C) is welcomed by President Nechirvan Barzani (R) of the autonomous Kurdistan region on his arrival at Arbil airport in Iraq on Sunday. The pope visited areas hit hard by the Islamic State. Photo courtesy of Office of the President of Kurdistan/UPI | License Photo
Published date: 5 March 2021 14:31 UTC | Last update: 2 weeks 5 days ago
On Saturday, Pope Francis will hold an inter-faith service at the ziggurat of Ur, a massive Sumerian temple at an ancient Iraqi city believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham.
The service is set to be one of the most significant moments in a historic papal visit which has drawn the eyes of the world to Iraq and highlighted the archaeological wonder of Ur.
Here’s what you need to know about the ancient site:
The Sumerian capital
Ur lies in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar, 17km from the provincial capital Nasiriyah. It is one of four ancient Sumerian cities found in the province, alongside Eridu, Girsu and Lagash.