POPE IS "THINKING INTENSELY" OF PILGRIMAGE TO IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, JUL 11, 1999 (VIS) - Speaking with journalists just before Pope John Paul recited the angelus today from his vacation retreat in Les Combes, Italy, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that the Pope "is thinking intensely" about making a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to Iraq.

Navarro-Valls also confirmed that the Pope will travel, "probably in November," to Asia for the conclusion of the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops, which was held in Rome the spring of 1998. He added that the time and place have yet to be settled.

Navarro-Valls highlighted that the Pope has been contemplating a trip to Iraq for some time, but has been "thinking intensely" and talking about it with his collaborators during this vacation period. The papal spokesman said that, in recent days, Pope John Paul stated that "how beautiful it would be if I could be accompanied to Ur of the Chaldeans (home of Abraham) by Jews and Muslims," also the spiritual children of Abraham.

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