Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and other government and religious dignitaries met the pontiff on the tarmac, before escorting him inside an airport lounge, where he held brief meetings with President Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani.
The Pope then took off by helicopter to visit Mosul and Qaraqosh, two cities occupied by the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group.
He will return to Erbil later in the afternoon for an outdoor mass at Franso Hariri football stadium.
Following the Pope’s arrival President Barzani tweeted that he was “honored to receive” the pope.
“As apostolic visit begins in Kurdistan, we reiterate our lasting commitment to peace, religious freedom, [and] fraternity. We also remember Peshmerga heroes and all those who made ultimate sacrifice to defend peace [and] liberty for all Iraqis,” he added.
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