Unbeknownst to Pope Francis when, on August 18, he declared himself ready to go to Iraq, the Virgin Mary had expressed her support of his mission of peace on the day before, in a message given to Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic during his public apparition in Vicenza, Italy, August 17, 2014:

“Dear children, also today I call you in a particular way: Pray for peace. Open yourselves to the Holy Spirit, dear children. May the Holy Spirit guide you. Especially, dear children, during this time pray for my beloved Holy Father. For his mission, the mission of peace. The Mother prays for all of you and intercedes before her Son for each of you. Thank you, dear children, for also today having responded to my call.”