Estonia Not in Pope's Travel Plans

Pope Benedict XVI is not scheduled to make an appearance in Estonia and it is highly possible that His Holiness may never visit the country due to his advanced age, said Estonian Ambassador to the Holy See Jüri Seilenthal.

Some of the Pope's foreign visits have already been determined and it has become obvious that he will travel much less than his predecessor Pope John Paul II, explained Seilenthal.

The head of Roman Catholic Church has travel plans only for the next three years, ETV reported.  

There are around 5,700 Roman Catholic adherents in Estonia, which compared to other nations is a small community.

Nevertheless, representatives of the local Roman Catholic Church believe that the country's small size does not reduce its relevance in the eyes of the Pope.

Estonia's relations with the Vatican were most active in the beginning of the 90s, when Pope John Paul II visited the country after it had regained its independence from the Soviet regime. 

In turn, President Lennart Meri paid a visit to Vatican.

 

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