The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Vatican says no Iran trip planned

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)

Dayton gets boost from committee for UAV testing
11:48 p.m.
Patrol searches Springfield dealership for stolen cards
11:43 p.m.
Police headlines: Two accused of child endangering
11:41 p.m.
Ad calls Brown career politician
11:39 p.m.
Local Focus: Clark County for May 25
11:27 p.m.
> More headlines

The Associated Press 12:01 PM Wednesday, February 8, 2012

VATICAN CITY — 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.

___

February 08, 2012 04:58 PM EST

Share this article