Posted on 02/16/2021 5:53:28 PM PST by marshmallow
Rome Newsroom, Feb 15, 2021 / 06:30 am MT (CNA).- The Iraqi government has announced new COVID-19 restrictions, including the closure of all places of worship, less than three weeks before Pope Francis’ scheduled trip to Iraq.
On Feb. 14 the health ministry of Iraq wrote that the government will impose a national curfew, in addition to the closure of all schools, restaurants, mosques and other places of worship.
These measures come in the weeks leading up to Pope Francis’ March 5-8 trip to Iraq. The pope’s schedule includes a Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Baghdad on March 6 and a visit to the Syriac Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Bakhdida March 7.
Most of the new coronavirus measures will go into force from Feb. 18 until March 4, but the closure of places of worship is “until further notice,” according to the Iraqi government’s website. The national curfew will remain in place until at least March 8.
The Vatican’s ambassador in Baghdad, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Feb. 14 to discuss the preparations for the pope’s visit.
Al-Kadhimi said in the meeting that Iraq’s government welcomes the pope’s trip and his efforts to counter extremism in the country, according to the Shafaqna Shia News Agency.
Pope Francis is slated to meet with Al-Kadhimi immediately upon his arrival in Baghdad on March 5 before traveling to the presidential palace to visit Iraqi President Barham Salih.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
Is there any part of the world that hasn’t gone bat soup crazy?
It’s cover to stop terrorist attacks.
I wonder if they’ll do the same when Slow Joe drools (sorry, I meant “drops”) by.
Dictator Pope
“Najaf is the capital of religions, so he is welcomed as a peace-lover”
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