Pope, due to visit Iraq in March, condemns Baghdad attack

Pope Francis meets "Spezia" football team before the weekly general audience, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at the Vatican, January 20, 2021. Picture taken January 20, 2021. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit Iraq in March, on Thursday condemned a twin suicide bombing that killed at least 32 people in a Baghdad market as a "senseless act of brutality".

In a message sent in his name to the Iraqi president, the pope gave no indication as to whether the bombing would affect his planned trip.