POPE of Vatican mass in St. Catherine Monastery

Pope John Paul II of Vatican, Chief of the Catholic Church, is due in Cairo February 24 on a 3-day visit to Egypt during which he will be received by President Hosni Mubarak.

The Pontiff will also be received by Grand Imam of A1 Zhar Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi and Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese.

Vatican Ambassador in Cairo said this visit is the first ever paid by the Pope of Vatican to Egypt, adding the visit is spiritual in the first place to perform prayers in holy places in Egypt.

The Ambassador said that the Vatican Pontiff will perform prayers in Saint Catherine Monastery, which was built 1500 years ago, adding litanies and hymns will also be performed.

The Pontiff will give a mass in the Indoor Hall Complex in Nasr City and will meet with Catholic metropolitans and eastern patriarchs, said the ambassador.