The Pope is keen to visit Syria

In a press conference held in the Vatican on Tuesday, held on the sideline of the Millennium's celebrations dedicated to Parlaimentarians and rulers, cardinal Roger Atchighari said that he Pope " is keen and wishes to visit Syria."

Atchighari who presides over the special committee on the Millennium's celebrations and one of the closest to the Pope said that " The Pope has been even keen to visit Syria and follow the steps of Apostle Paul and he is still hoping to do so."

In September aides for the spokesman for the Vatican Tcheiro Beniditiny announced that the Pope's visit to Damascus is " under study" but it will not be taken place this year.

The Pope has expressed his hope to visit Syria in the document in the inauguration of the Millennium's festivities.

However, some 1.5 million Christians are living in Syria, representing the Orthodox and Catholic churches ( of the Maronite, Latin and Syriacs ) communities.