Pope Francis on Saturday began a historic meeting with one of Iraq’s top Shiite spiritual leaders, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.
Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – March 06, 2021 – International News
Francis’ meeting in the holy city of Iraq, Najaf, during a risky trip to Iraq was the pontiff’s first meeting with such a high-ranking Shiite cleric.
It is noted that Ali Sistani is one of the most important figures in Shiite Islam both in Iraq and abroad. He has a huge influence on politics. Sistani, 90, is rare in meetings and has refused to negotiate with current and former Iraqi prime ministers, according to officials close to him. Sistani agreed to meet with the Pope in the absence of Iraqi officials, a source told Reuters.
The meeting with Francis took place in the modest house of Sistan, where he has lived for decades, located along a narrow alley in Najaf.
Pope Francis arrived in Baghdad on March 5 with the riskiest visit abroad since being elected pope in 2012. The pontiff’s trip was the first papal visit to Iraq in history. The Pope is due to return to Rome on Monday.
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Source: Ukrgate
