In March, Francis wants to be the first Pope to visit Iraq. He knows Muslims must be won if religious minorities can have a future. He is of course aware of the afflictions and persecution that Christians under the Muslim world face, not at least in Iraq. At the same time, however, he wants to help strengthen that delicate plant of Islamic self-reflection that is currently sprouting.

The Islamic age of an increasing radicalization, which began in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the storming of Sunni fanatics on the Great Mosque of Mecca, has slowed down in the Middle East following the experience with IS. More and more Muslim leaders and ordinary believers want a new direction.

According to reports, a visit to Iraq would also include a meeting with senior Shiite representatives. If possible, a similar document to that of Abu Dhabi, which Francis published with Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayyeb in spring 2019, could be signed. This document had positive effects for the Christian minorities in the Muslim world.