Home » Projects » Construction » The hopes of the Christians of Baghdeda (Qaraqosh) for the papal visit to Iraq in March

The hopes of the Christians of Baghdeda (Qaraqosh) for the papal visit to Iraq in March

Pope Francis is due to visit Iraq from 5 – 8 March this year. One of the places on his proposed route is the town of Qaraqosh – or Baghdeda, as it is known to the Christians – some 25 miles (32 km) to the east of Mosul. Prior to the invasion by the so-called Islamic State (IS) it was the most populous Christian city in Iraq. Today, since the region was reconquered by the Iraqi forces and their allies in October 2016, tens of thousands of displaced Christians have returned to their former homes. According to the latest information published by the international Catholic pastoral charity and pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International), which helped in the repair and rebuilding of these houses, some 43% of the Christian families who formerly lived in Baghdeda prior to the IS invasion have since returned. ACN spoke to three Christians involved in the reconstruction work in the city and asked them what they were hoping for from the Pope’s visit.

Rooney Baqtar, a 42-year-old engineer:

 

Father Ammar Yako, a Syrian catholic priest, aged 44:

 

Fadi Saqat, 27, coordinator of ACN’s projects in the Niniveh Plains

Currently, ACN has many ongoing projects for reconstruction work and pastoral support for the local churches of the various different Christian rites in Iraq.

Don't miss the latest updates!

Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire

The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to…

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children…

Gaza: First step towards peace after 733 days of war

While indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between Israeli…

Rome to host official launch of Religious Freedom Report 2025

Religious and public leaders will be gathering on October 21…

Papal envoy carries solidarity to the Christians of war-torn Sudan

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, has…

In the east of Burkina Faso, still many problems as term starts

While the security situation in Burkina Faso has improved slightly,…

From Angola to Vietnam, enthusiasm with “One million children praying the Rosary” campaign

ACN’s yearly campaign, added to the Holy Father’s appeal to…

List of News

Gaza: First Sunday of Peace after the Ceasefire

The parish priest of Gaza called on his flock to “forgive all those who have failed and to ask forgiveness” for their own shortcomings, as preparation for what he hopes...

The Holy Father calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide

Pope Leo XIV receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, 10 October 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received pontifical foundation Aid to the Church...

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of ACN’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign. Pope Leo XIV kept up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by promoting the One...