The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
Number: 11499 Date: 09-Nov-99 Type: U Code: Papal Trip to Iraq Postponed Until 2000 VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II will not travel to Iraq this year, the Vatican has revealed. The papal trip to Iraq-- during which the Holy Father hopes to visit Ur of the Chaldeans, the ancient home of the patriarch Abraham-- will not take place until the end of January, 2000, at the earliest, Vatican officials have told reporters. The trip was originally scheduled for December, but tensions between the Holy See and the government of Saddam Hussein brought a halt to the preparations. Vatican sources also indicate that the papal trip to Iraq, when it takes place, will probably not be joined with a trip to Egypt for a visit to Mt. Sinai. Such a two-legged voyage had been contemplated for January, but the increasingly fragile health of the Holy Father has led planners to reconsider those plans, in order to avoid taxing the Pope's stamina and exposing him to the harsh Iraqi winter. However, Pope John Paul remains committed to making the trip to Iraq. Father Roberto Tucci, the Jesuit priest who has been regularly involved in preparations for papal voyages, will travel to Iraq later this month to resume the planning process. Chris Cole Southwark Justice and Peace Office Cathedral Clergy House Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HY 0171 928 9742 http://www.swkjp.dircon.co.uk -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Please do not send emails with attached files to the list *** Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html ***