NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II designated Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, as his personal representative to the funeral of Jordan's King Hussein.

      In an official statement issued on February 7, the Holy See said that the Pope "joined in the sorrow of that noble nation," and pointed to "the many contacts" between King Hussein and Pope John Paul II. In view of the "personal ties between the [Lebanese] royal family and the Apostolic See," the statement continued, it was deemed appropriate that the Pope's representative at the funeral should be someone "of high rank."

      Jordan has maintained diplomatic relations with the Holy See since 1994.