Pope John Paul II is keen to visit Damascus

Pope John Paul II has expressed his desire to add Damascus and Athens to the tour he will make of Iraq, Egypt, al-Nasera (Nazareth), Bethlehem and occupied Jerusalem in the year 2000. He is planning to visit the holy shrines there.

AP quoted the Pope as saying in a 17-page document issued by the Vatican on Wednesday that his intention is to visit these important religious places personally, for prayers. The pope has not, as yet, set a date for this important tour.