Pope Francis holds a small service in Baghdad after earlier meeting Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al Si

The Pope has performed Mass in a Baghdad cathedral after earlier holding a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shia cleric.

Francis was greeted by enthusiastic well-wishers at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph on the second day of his visit to the country.

Only 100 or so people were allowed in because of COVID restrictions but Iraq’s president, foreign minister and speaker of the house of parliament were among them.

The pope used the service to pay tribute to "those of our brothers and sisters who here too have suffered prejudice and indignities, mistreatment and persecutions for the name of Jesus".

He smiled broadly and waved as he left the cathedral, with people in the pews taking photos or selfies as he passed.