Pope hopes to visit Holy Land next year: Peres
Posted on: Thursday, 6 April 2006, 06:54 CDT
ROME (Reuters) - Senior Israeli politician Shimon Peres said on Thursday Pope Benedict had told him he hoped he would be able to visit the Holy Land next year.
Peres, a senior Kadima party politician, discussed the Middle East situation and the peace process with Benedict during a 40-minute meeting at the Vatican and said he relayed an invitation from Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"He indicated he may do it in the first part of next year," Peres told a news conference after the papal audience.
"I do believe his visit can have an impact on the peace process as well," Peres added.
The late Pope John Paul II made an historic trip to the Holy Land in 2000.
Peres said he found the pope extremely well-informed about the situation in the Middle East and concerned about the spread of terrorism.
Source: REUTERS
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