Pope to observe mass for the sake of Iraq

Pope John Paul II announced on Wednesday that he will hold a special mass for Iraq in the Vatican next week due to the fact he could not visit Baghdad as he had hoped.

In his weekly sermon, the pope said the mass will be a sort of spiritual pilgrimage, as his visit to Iraq is not possible due to the UN sanctions and the air embargo imposed on Baghdad.

The mass is scheduled on Wednesday, just one day before the pope is to head for Egypt on February 24.