Pope Francis holds historic meeting with top Shiite Muslim cleric in Iraq

POPE Francis held a symbolic meeting with one of the most powerful figures in Iraq on the second day of his landmark trip to the war-ravaged country. The Pontiff had a 45-minute heart-to-heart with Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani - the nation’s top Shia cleric - at the Islamic scholar’s home in the holy city of Najaf. The Catholic leader arrived in a bullet-proof vehicle and as he entered the small house white doves were released - to reflect the peaceful theme of his visit.