The Pope regrets for not being able to visit Lebanon

Pope John Paul II has expressed his regret that he will not be able to visit Lebanon during his al-Haj visit he will hold to Syria in May. In a message he had sent on Friday to the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud, the Pope added that the program of al-Haj visit was set beforehand " does not permit me to decide a new station in Lebanon."

He continued: " I assure you I will not stop praying so as the God Almighty has his grace upon you and on the Lebanese people."