MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
FEBRUARY 22, 20215:38 AMUPDATED 8 DAYS AGO
BAGHADAD (Reuters) - Pope Francis is due to hold an inter-religious prayer service at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Ur when he visits Iraq next week - an event local archeologists hope will draw renewed attention to the place revered as the birthplace of Abraham.
www.reuters.com
https://www.reuters.com/article/pope-iraq-ur-preparations-int-idUSKBN2AM0XW Popular with Western visitors in the 1970s and 1980s, Ur is scarcely visited today after decades of war and political instability shattered Iraq’s international tourism industry. The coronavirus crisis now also keeps local tourists away.
FEBRUARY 22, 20215:38 AMUPDATED 8 DAYS AGO
Pope's visit to Iraqi Ziggurat to bring together several faiths - and hopefully lure more visitors
By Mohammed AtyBAGHADAD (Reuters) - Pope Francis is due to hold an inter-religious prayer service at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Ur when he visits Iraq next week - an event local archeologists hope will draw renewed attention to the place revered as the birthplace of Abraham.
Pope's visit to Iraqi Ziggurat to bring together several faiths - and hopefully lure more visitors
Pope Francis is due to hold an inter-religious prayer service at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Ur when he visits Iraq next week - an event local archeologists hope will draw renewed attention to the place revered as the birthplace of Abraham.

https://www.reuters.com/article/pope-iraq-ur-preparations-int-idUSKBN2AM0XW Popular with Western visitors in the 1970s and 1980s, Ur is scarcely visited today after decades of war and political instability shattered Iraq’s international tourism industry. The coronavirus crisis now also keeps local tourists away.