Vatican delegation visits Iraq to prepare for the Pope's visit

Archdiocese Matta Shaba head of the Catholic Syrian sect in Iraq stated that a delegation from the Vatican will visit Baghdad to discuss arrangements for the anticipated visit that will be paid by Pope John Paul II to Iraq.

He added, "The Iraqi government recently agreed to receive the delegation."

The charge d'affairs of the Caldean patriarchate in Iraq assumed that the pope's desire to visit Iraq is still confirmed and that the Vatican is waiting for an official reply from the Iraqi government regarding this matter.