Pope asked to cancel visit

Paris - French critics yesterday accused Pope John Paul II of encouraging militant anti-abortion groups with his plan to honour…

Paris - French critics yesterday accused Pope John Paul II of encouraging militant anti-abortion groups with his plan to honour one of their heroes during a visit to France later this month. The Radical Socialist Party, a partner in the ruling coalition, said the Pope's visit to the grave of Prof Jerome Lejeune would be "a provocation" and asked him to cancel it. - (Reuter)