Doubts over the Pope's visit to Iraq

Vatican sources said on Wednesday that the visit of Pope John Paul II to Iraq is facing difficulties, adding that his controversial visit scheduled for the beginning of December might not take place.

Reuters quoted the same sources as saying that if the Vatican's preparatory delegation, which usually precedes any visit by the Pope, does not arrive shortly in Iraq to agree on the arrangements, the visit will not be possible in early December as proposed, adding that arrangements for the visit were actually suspended.

A source indicated that there are diplomatic problems, and the program was not set out for the visit, which the Vatican has not officially declared.

It was rumored that the Pope will visit Iraq during the period between December 3 and 5, according to the statements made by the Catholic church in Iraq.

Church officials in Egypt said the pope will visit Saint Catherine Convent on Mount Sinai on December as part of the same trip that will take him to Iraq, a visit the Pope wants to be a mere religious one to the ancient Or area where Prophet Abraham was born.

Aides to the Pope said that the pope, despite certain obstacles has not lost his enthusiasm for visiting Iraq, but he does not want to give any political dimension to the trip. Officials at the Vatican said Iraq has to honor the religious nature of the Pope's trip.