Pope’s historic Ayatollah talks
POPE Francis took part in a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-sistani yesterday.
The two faith leaders talked for almost an hour at Sistani’s modest rented home in the holy city of Najaf, during the first ever papal visit to Iraq. Sistani, 90, is the spiritual leader of most of the world’s Shia Muslims.
Pope Francis, 84, then visited the birthplace of Abraham in Ur.
Today, he travels to former Islamic State stronghold Mosul.
SHE may be about to play the Prime Minister’s fiancee Carrie Symonds in a new drama but actress Ophelia Lovibond’s Instagram account makes it clear she is no fan of thetories.
This Sceptred Isle, about the Covid-19 pandemic, is being made by SKYTV, with Kenneth Branagh taking on the role of Boris Johnson.
Starring opposite is Ophelia, who criticised Cabinet minister and Leader of the House Jacob Rees-mogg on social media before the 2019 general election.
The 35-year-old star, who lives in Hampstead, north London, also shared a pro-labour video and wrote: “If you’re not sure who to vote for tomorrow, watch this.
“#Vote to save our beloved NHS, to end child poverty & homelessness, to invest in our public services and protect the most vulnerable, and to act now on climate change.”
Rees-mogg attracted her ire for lounging on the front benches of the House of Commons during a debate.
She wrote: “This behaviour is an absolute disgrace.
“Jacob Rees-mogg’s slouching across the front benches during one of the most consequential debates in parliamentary history is the physical embodiment of arrogance, entitlement, disrespect and contempt for parliament and the People.”
Her Instagram account also features a picture of the Prime Minister with the phrase “Inequality is essential”, referring to a speech made by Mr Johnson back in 2013.
Ophelia previously appeared in Roadkill on the BBC, a drama about atory minister played by Hugh Laurie and written by playwright David Hare.
She attended the same youth theatre aswildlife star Carey Mulligan and her mother was a counsellor atwormwood Scrubs jail in west London.
This Sceptred Isle, to be shown in autumn, will focus on Mr Johnson’s handling of the pandemic. It will be based on testimony from real people living through it, including hospital and care home workers.
However, the drama has sparked a backlash from many people who think it should not be made while families are still grieving for loved ones.
“Far too soon,” tweeted one. “People are still placing headstones from the first wave. Please don’t release this.”
And another said: “I wish they would stop dramatising contemporary political events.
“People are having enough of a hard time distinguishing truth from fiction as it is.this stuff helps not one bit.”