Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi travelled to Iraq on a two-day pastoral visit a mass on the first anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Salvation church there.

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi travelled to Iraq on a two-day pastoral visit that will include talks with Iraqi officials and a mass on the first anniversary of the attack on Our Lady of Salvation church there.

The patriarch returned Sunday to Beirut from Italy where he attended a council with world religious leaders in Assisi.

Al-Rahi will celebrate mass in Baghdad on the first anniversary of the attack on the Syriac Catholic church on Oct. 31, 2010.

Militants had stormed the church, killing 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security force personnel in an attack claimed by al-Qaida's local affiliate in Iraq.

Al-Rahi said earlier this week that he will discuss with Iraqi officials the fate of Christians there.

The Council of Maronite Bishops postponed its monthly meeting from Wednesday to Thursday over al-Rahi’s visit to Iraq.