Pope John Paul II to visit Syria in April, 2001

The assistant for the spokesman of the Vatican Sero Peniditini stressed on Monday was announced by patriarch of Antioch and the Whole East Ignatius 4th Hazim on the intention of Pope John Paul II to visit Syria after the Easter.

He added " this visit which will not be made this year is actually under study," recalling that the Pope himself expressed his own desire to visit Syria in the document which was announced with the beginning of the celebration of the third Millennium.

To this effect, SANA said that the Pope's visit to Syria might take place in the second third of April, 2001, but " no final date is fixed yet," adding that this visit will last for two or three days."

Ignatius added that " the Pope will hold a sermon in Damascus and will visit the main churches in the capital, according to a program, whose final schedule was not set yet."

He described the Pope's visit to Damascus as " spiritual" aiming at " following the steps of Prophet Paul who embraced Christianity in Syria and walked in the Straight street ( Midhat Pasha street in the old town of Damascus )." Patriarch Ignatius stressed the importance of the Pope's visit, noting the international dimension of the Pope.