Iraqi Christians prepare for the Pope's visit - in pictures

Pope Francis is making a landmark visit to Iraq on March 5

Christian volunteers hold Iraqi and Vatican flags as they decorate streets ahead of the planned visit of Pope Francis, in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Reuters

Choir members practise at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold a mass, in Baghdad. Reuters

Workers at St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral. The visit from March 5 to 8 will be the first trip abroad by Pope Francis since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters

People practise hymns that will be played during the Mass to be held by the pontiff in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters

The visit will also be the first time Iraq welcomes the sovereign of the Vatican City. Reuters

A soldier passes the entrance of St Joseph Chaldean Cathedral, where Pope Francis will hold Mass. Reuters

From about 1.5 million Christians prior to the US-led invasion, only an estimated 250,000 remain in the country today.. Reuters

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