Pope denounces sanctions on Iraq

Pope John Paul II on Saturday strongly denounced the UN sanctions against Iraq during a ceremony marking the holy year.

"The sons and daughters of the Iraqi church and all the Iraqi people, who have cruelly been put to the test by the imposition of international sanctions, are continuously present in my mind," the Pope said.

"I reassure all those who suffer, particularly women, children and the elderly of my support through prayers," the pope said.

The pope starts on Monday a six-day tour of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.