The Pope to visit Syria

Pope John Paul II stressed on Thursday that he intends to visit Syria this year at the set time.

In conclusion of his religious sermon, the Pope said " My expectations to visit Syria which is considered unique of its kind are great." He stressed he will also visit Ukraine despite the existing differences with the Orthodox church, the largest church in Ukraine.

News reports expected the Pope's visit to Syria to be by the end of April and the beginning of May and his tour also to cover Malta noting the possibility that the Pope will stop in Greece. Still the pope's visit to Greece is doubted because of the opposition of the Orthodox church in Greece to this visit.