During the press conference on the papal plane, Pope Francis explained why he chose to travel to Iraq despite the pandemic.
POPE FRANCIS
As I said recently, trip ideas simmer in my mind. And that's something that encouraged me. I thought about it a lot. I prayed a lot about this trip, and in the end, I made the decision freely, though it did come from within. I said, Just as God moved me to make this decision, so will He take care of the people.
The pope says he was aware of the risks, but he chose to go forward with the trip after serious reflection. As for future trips, he isn't opposed to visiting his native country.
POPE FRANCIS
I want to say it so people don't create false ideas that I'm afraid of visiting my native country. When the opportunity presents itself, it must be taken, because there's Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, which has great cultural diversity.
Joking aside, he did respond to those who wonder why he has not yet visited his country.
POPE FRANCIS
When will I go to Argentina, and why haven't I gone yet? I always respond somewhat jokingly that I was in Argentina for 76 years. That's enough, no? There's something I don't know why no one mentions. A trip to Argentina in November of 2017 was being planned. Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
The pope clarified also that at 84 years old, he's noticed that traveling wears him out much more than in the past. Though really, he didn't seem at all tired.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
