ROME - In response to the call by Pope Francis to pray for his visit to Iraq, from March 5 to 8, the Community of Sant’Egidio is promoting a prayer vigil to take place on Friday in the church of Santa Maria di Trastevere at 8:00pm.

  The pope’s trip to Iraq is one of “huge historical relevance for Christians and all believers in the land of Abraham. An event hugely awaited by the people of Iraq,” according to the Community of Sant’Egidio, the international Catholic lay social organisation.

  Pope John Paul II was scheduled to travel to Iraq in 1999 but his trip had to be cancelled. Pope Francis said recently in his call to prayer, “we cannot disappoint people a second time.” He hopes that this trip “can unfold in the best possible way and bear the desired fruits.”

  The prayers will be open to everyone and will also be streamed live, in many languages, at  www.santegidio.org.

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