Pope Francis makes landmark visit to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani March 6, 2021 AM 1260 The Rock News Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. The Shiite leader is believed to have played a critical role in the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq. Post navigation Previous Previous post: Pope Francis’ Appeals for Interreligious Harmony at Birthplace of AbrahamNext Next post: Pope Francis in Iraq: The Pope Addresses an Interreligious Meeting in Plain of Ur