Michael Jansen The author, a well-respected observer of Middle East affairs, has three books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The author, a well-respected observer of Middle East affairs, has three books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. 04 Mar 2021 Pope Francis. Pope Francis is set to arrive in Baghdad today on the first ever visit of a Catholic pontiff to Iraq although its Christian communities are among the world’s most ancient. His aim is to “console and encourage” Catholics, other Christians, non-Christian minorities and the majority Shia community which have suffered terribly from decades of punitive sanctions and warfare. Cardinal Leonardi Sandri, who supervises the Vatican’s relations with Oriental churches, said Pope Francis seeks to promote peace and offer “a concrete road map from the future of inter-religious relations and for the future of the world.” This may be a steep agenda, but this pope is not a man to waver from his mission.