The objectives of the pope's visit to Iraq 2:02
(CNN) -
Pope Francis has landed in Iraq for a historic tour of the war-torn nation, where he is expected to meet with members of the country's dwindling Christian community and draw attention to their plight.
The Blood Guardians, an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, announced that it would suspend its military operations during Pope Francis' visit to Iraq.
"We welcome the Vatican Pope's visit to Iraq and announce the suspension of all military acts during the Vatican Pope's visit out of respect for Mr. Ali al-Sistani and to express our hospitality," the group said in a statement issued on Friday.
An Iraqi security guard in front of a huge poster with the image of Pope Francis (left), in central Baghdad, on March 4, 2021, on the eve of the pontiff's first visit to Iraq.
(Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images)
The statement adds: “We tell the honorable man (the pope) that we wish his visit would come when Yazidi and Christian women were in captivity, when a third of Iraq fell into the hands of ISIS, that would have been more affectionate to our hearts. ”.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq's most influential Shiite leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, on Saturday.
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