Pope John Paul II to visit Jordan and Palestine this month
Jordan-Palestine-Vatican, Politics, 3/1/2000

Pope John Paul II of the Vatican will head to Jordan and Palestine during the current month to visit the holy places in shadow of Israeli protests against the visit because the Pope refuses to consider Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Despite the refusal of the Egyptian Coptics Pope to receive him in Cairo Airport, Pope John Paul visited him in the papal headquarters four hours after his arrival in Egypt, starting a normalization between the Catholics and the Orthodox Coptics after more than 25 years of animosity.

The Pope also headed to El-Azhar Sheikhdom and convened with Dr. Mohammed Sayed Tantawi in a historical meeting with the spiritual chief of Islam.

The Pope also participated in a mass for more than 20,000 Catholics, an unprecedented number at any time of history beside the Orthodox Coptics in Cairo.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian ambassador commends Vatican's backing for Palestine's cause   (2/23/2000)
  Israeli criticism for Palestinian government agreement with the Vatican   (2/16/2000)
  Palestinian government, Vatican agree on Jerusalem guarantees   (2/16/2000)

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