Security forces stand guard after a deadly twin suicide bomb attack in Baghdad.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the bomb attacks on Tayaran Square in Baghdad this morning,” the Vatican said in a statement sent to Iraqi President Barham Saleh in the pope’s name. The statement said the pontiff prayed that “all will continue work to overcome violence with fraternity”.
It would be the first trip ever by a pontiff to the Middle Eastern country, whose historic and diverse Christian communities have been devastated by the sectarian warfare of the last two decades.