NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

    MOSCOW, NOV 23, 1999 (ZENIT).- According to a news release issued by the Russian agency ITAR-Tass, Kazakstan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, announced yesterday that Pope John Paul II will visit that country in the year 2000.

    No more details or more specific dates were given, only the fact of the possible trip of John Paul II to this country, previously a member of the U.S.S.R., with a total population of 16 million, including approximately 45% Russian Orthodox and 50% Muslims. Christians make up less than 5%.

    While the Vatican as yet has neither confirmed nor denied the announcement, if the trip does take place, it will be another significant step on the road of ecumenism, together with the Pope's previous journeys to Rumania and, more recently, Georgia. ZE99112324

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