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Vatican says no Iran trip planned

Wed Feb 8, 2012 11:58 AM EST
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Associated Press

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing at the end of a general audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI has called for prayers for the victims of the cold wave that is sweeping through Europe and offered encouragement to efforts to provide assistance to those in need. Europeans have been battling more than a week of extreme weather, with thousands still trapped by snow in remote mountain villages in the Balkans. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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— The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI receives many invitations and that a trip to Lebanon is under consideration but that there are no plans for a visit to Iran.

The Italian news agency ANSA on Wednesday quoted Iran's ambassador to the Holy See as saying Iran issued an invitation to the pope in 2010 and that he would be welcomed to that country with "enthusiasm."

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi says the pope does have a Middle East trip "under study," a possible September visit to Lebanon to present a document on the future of the church in the region.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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buckeyenut-2225921

Is it just me or is he Pope doing "jazz hands"?

    Reply#1 - Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:16 PM EST
    socialjustice

    Why won't the Pope go to Iran?

    They have so much in common!

      Reply#2 - Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:37 PM EST
      saeid-2995079Deleted
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