Pope Francis' three-day visit to Iraq, aimed at denouncing divisions and promoting interfaith dialogue, did not resolve the underlying political and sectarian tensions. His ecumenical prayer in the Ur plain was well-received by followers of different faiths, but political disputes and community tensions persist. The Pope's unscheduled meeting with Massoud Barzani, the influential leader of the autonomous Kurdistan, sparked discontent in Baghdad due to Barzani's perceived secessionist intentions. Sunni Arabs felt neglected, criticizing the lack of an individual meeting with a Sunni Muslim dignitary, contrasting with the Pope's historic meeting with the prominent Shiite Muslim figure, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Local press observed that political leaders appeared unmoved by the Pope's calls for combating corruption and promoting social justice. Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi, from the Shiite community, declared March 6 as the 'national day of tolerance and coexistence' in honor of the Pope's meetings, but his government is primarily expected to address the country's economic crisis and lack of jobs for the youth.

Pope Francis visited Ur, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham and cradle of monotheistic religions, in southern Iraq. Earlier in the day, he had a closed-door meeting with the highest Shiite authority, Ayatollah Ali Sistani, in Nadjaf.

Pope Francis's upcoming visit to Iraq brings hope to a dwindling Christian community, which has seen a reduction of nearly three-quarters of its members over 20 years due to wars and discrimination. Father Nadhir Dako of Saint Joseph's parish in Baghdad, where the Pope will hold a mass, speaks of the hardships faced by the Chaldean priest, with only 150 families remaining as many have fled to Jordan, Turkey, or Europe, unable to return due to economic crisis or armed militias seizing their properties.

A year after the assassination of Iran's Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani and his right-hand man Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, tensions remain high in Iraq. Commemorations passed largely without incident, but Iran's judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi warned that Soleimani's killers would not be safe. Despite the heated rhetoric, there has been no large-scale response to the assassination. New, more aggressive and unpredictable groups targeting American interests have emerged, while Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi faces overt threats from militias. The US and Iran both seem to want to avoid escalation, with Tehran looking to negotiate with the incoming Biden administration and the US wary of further conflict.

After a two-week lull, anti-government protests have resumed in Baghdad, with demonstrators relentlessly demanding the fall of the regime. A weekend of violence resulted in 63 deaths. Protesters are calling for laws to facilitate investment and job creation, immediate resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mehdi, a new government with special powers, a new electoral law, judicial system, independent electoral body, and new elections and parliament within two years. The government is accused of being corrupt, sectarian, and influenced by foreign powers like Iran and the United States. Iraq, ranking high in corruption, has lost 410 billion euros to corruption since 2003. The population, with 60% under 25 years old and a quarter of these youths unemployed, is preparing for what seems like an impending war, with many stocking up on essentials.