Pope says meeting Shiite cleric 'good for my soul'

Aboard The Papal Plane (AFP) March 8, 2021

Pope Francis said Monday his meeting with top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani had been "good for my soul", as he returned to Rome following his historic trip to Iraq. Speaking in an in-flight press conference, the 84-year-old pontiff admitted the packed three-day visit had been more tiring than previous trips. But he defended making the journey despite concerns about coronavirus and s