Palestinian government welcomes Pope visit

The Palestinian government has welcomed the forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II, expected to be held in March, to the Palestinian self-rule territories and described it as "historical."

In a statement issued in Bethlehem on Sunday, the Palestinian government issued instructions to all its security departments concerned to prepare the necessary arrangements for the visit.

The pope is expected to arrive on March 22 for a visit which is the first of its kind in 34 years. He will visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth in the context of the celebrations of the start of the third millennium.