No papal visit to Mongolia

CHURCH officials have confirmed that it is unlikely that Pope John Paul II will visit Mongolia in August.
Speaking on June 22, during the Pope's visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina. a member of the Pope's entourage ruled out the Mongolian trip because the Church there "is not yet mature enough" to receive the Pope on an official basis.
"It is necessary to consecrate a bishop and to build up the Church there before a visit could take place," the official explained.
He hinted that a visit may go ahead later if conditions change. Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, confirmed the Mongolia trip would not proceed.