Pope Francis met Christians on Sunday in an ancient church torched by the ISIS terror group when it swept into the northern Iraqi town of Qaraqosh in 2014. After the militants were ousted from the town in 2016, the Al-Tahera (Immaculate Conception) Church’s imposing marble floors and columns were restored and the faithful gathered there on Sunday to welcome the pontiff.
Saudi Arabia says it has broken off diplomatic ties with Iran, amid a row over the Saudi execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was speaking after demonstrators had stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
Britain raised its terrorism threat level on Friday to severe, the second highest level, in response to possible attacks being planned in Syria and Iraq, Home Secretary (interior minister) Theresa May said.