Vatican ambassador to Iraq tests positive for Coronavirus

The Vatican’s ambassador in Baghdad, the apostolic nuncio Metja Leskovar, has tested positive for COVID-19 a week after Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, although the program of the trip will not be modified, sources from the nunciature informed Efe this Sunday .

“The ambassador tested positive for coronavirus, but has mild symptoms and has been isolated from other people” said a source from the nunciature by phone, who requested anonymity.

Leskovar, 51, “continues his work to organize the visit of His Holiness the Pope to Iraq,” said the source who added that “the infection of the ambassador will not affect the visit of His Holiness”, which will take place from 5 to 8 of March.

The pontiff usually stays in the nunciatures of the countries he visits, but no details have been given about where he will sleep in Iraq.

Leskovar, of Slovenian origin and in the post since May 2020, has prepared Pope Francis’ trip in recent weeks by traveling to various places in Iraq.

AL SISTANI’S SPEAKER ALSO GAVE POSITIVE

On February 25, the spokesman for the highest Shiite authority in Iraq, Ali al Sistani, who will meet in the holy city of Najaf with Pope Francis, also tested positive for coronavirus, although it has not been reported so far if it finally they will meet.

It is the first apostolic trip made by the pope after more than a year due to the pandemic and a visit that he had in mind for a long time to support the Christian minority in the country, a victim of persecution by the group’s jihadists. Islamic State and violence in recent years.

So far, Iraq has counted more than 690,000 coronavirus cases and 13,300 deaths, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization at a time when the country has imposed severe measures to limit movement in the country.