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| - Features Editors: Paris: Kate Millar +33 1 4041 4636 Hong Kong: Sean Gleeson +852 2829 6249 Ahead of a historic visit to Iraq by Pope Francis on March 5 to 8, we are offering three stories about the devastating impact of years of successive conflicts on the country's ancient and diverse Christian community: + Iraq's ancient Christian community, decimated by violence, fear + Ousted by war, Iraq's Christians struggle to reclaim homes + Amid scars of war, Iraqi archbishop readies for pope Iraq-Christians-Vatican-pope,SPECIAL REPORT BAGHDAD Some fled after the US-led invasion, others during sectarian bloodshed and more following jihadist attacks. Iraq's last two violent decades have hollowed out its Christian community, which dates back two millennia. 1,700 words by Sarah Benhaida with AFP bureaus. File picture. Video Iraq-Christians-Vatican-housing,FOCUS BAGHDAD Fleeing war or threats of persecution, Iraq's Christians left behind thousands of homes in recent years -- returning to find them occupied by militiamen or secretly sold using fabricated deeds. 900 words by Sarah Benhaida Iraq-Christians-Vatican-Mosul,FOCUS KARAMLESH, Iraq From Mosul's rubble-strewn streets to ancient churches at Karamlesh, badly damaged by the Islamic State group, Archbishop Najeeb Michaeel is preparing for the first-ever papal visit to Iraq. 600 words by Sarah Benhaida. Pictures by Safin Hamed. Video by Ayman Henna afp
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