Pope Francis is meeting with the highest religious authority of the Shiites, the Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani.
The meeting, of a private nature, is held in the house of the religious leader, in the holy city of Najaf, in southern Iraq.
This is one of the main events of Pope Francis' trip to Iraq.
This morning, after leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, the Pope traveled by car to Baghdad International Airport from where, aboard an Iraqi Airways plane, he left for Najaf.
Upon his arrival at Najaf airport, at 8.20 local time (in Italy it was 6.20), the Pope was welcomed privately by the Governor of Najaf.
He then drove to the residence of Grand Ayatollah Sayyd Ali Al-Husayni Al-Sistani, leader of the Iraqi Shiite community.
Pope Francis was welcomed at the entrance of the Grand Ayatollah's residence by his son Mohammed Rida, who accompanied him to the room where the private conversation with Al-Sistani takes place.
At the end of the private meeting, the Pope moves by car to Najaf airport from where he leaves for Nassiriya.
Upon his arrival at Nassiriya airport, the Pope is greeted by the Archbishop of Basrah of the Chaldeans, Msgr.
Habib Hermiz Jajou Al Nawfali, from the Patriarchal Exarch of Bassorah and Golfo, Msgr.
Firas Drdr, by some civil and religious authorities and by two children who bring him a floral tribute.
Then he moved by car to Ur of the Chaldeans for the interreligious meeting.
