The pope starts visit to Jordan today
Jordan, Politics, 3/20/2000

Pope John Paul II of the Vatican starts today a two-day visit to Jordan which will be followed by a visit to the Palestinian territories in the context of what the Pope called "the Pope's pilgrimage" to the holy lands.

Jordanian sources said that scores of journalists will cover the events of the Pope's visit immediately upon his arrival in Amman and that active tourism movement will be taking place because of this visit.

The sources continued that the pope will visit Nabu mountain, Maadaba city and al-Maghtas site on the east bank of the Jordan river.

On Tuesday morning, the pope will preside over a mass on the stadium of the al-Hussein Youths City.

Meanwhile, Palestinian news reports said that Islamic and Christian figures, politicians and businessmen from Jerusalem will sign tomorrow an appeal at the Orient House addressed to the pope on the eve of the pope's visit to al-Aqsa mosque and al-Qeyamah church in Jerusalem asking backing for the Palestinian people to end the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem.

Israel has warned the Vatican not to politicize the visit of the pope in order to avoid a "bad" Israeli reaction, according to Israeli sources.

Meantime, settlers from the Israeli "Kach" extremist movement tore the flag of the Vatican, wrote statements against the pope and damaged the landing site for the helicopter which will take the pope to occupied Jerusalem during his visit to Israel.

The Israeli police started investigations into this extremist act.

Previous Stories:
  Pope visits Jordan on Monday   (3/17/2000)
  Pope John Paul II to visit Jordan and Palestine this month   (3/1/2000)
  Pope John Paul II, King Abdullah welcome positive atmosphere for Middle East peace   (9/20/1999)

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