Babel's Patriarch in Iraq to lead delegation to thank the pope

Iraq has decided to send a delegation representing Christian and Muslim men of religion to the Vatican to convey the thanks of the Iraqi people to Pope John Paul II over the efforts he exerts to end the humanitarian sufferings of the Iraqi people.

Babel's Patriarch for the Caldanians in Iraq and the World, Raphael I Bedawid, said the delegation which he will chair during the visit includes three members, two Muslim men of religion and one high-ranking Iraqi official at the Foreign Ministry.

On the date of the visit, Patriarch Bedawid said that the delegation waits for a date to be fixed with the Pope. He expected the visit to be made by the beginning of March.

Pope John Paul II has repeatedly called for lifting the embargo imposed on Iraq to end its isolation and expressed regret over the double-standard policy adopted towards Iraq.