_WORLD WATCH______________________________
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Invitation accepted
Government delighted by papal visit
In February, the government of Guatemala issued an invitation for Pope John Paul II to visit that country for the canonization of Blessed Pedro de San José de Betancur. At the time, officials conceded that such a trip was not likely.

Since Pope John Paul was already planning to visit Mexico in July for the canonization of Blessed Juan Diego, Catholics in Guatemala floated their own invitation, hoping that the Pontiff would make a side trip south. But since the Holy Father was already scheduled to be in Toronto on July 25-28, for the celebration of World Youth Day, and since his declining health has made travel more and more difficult, the prospects for acceptance seemed remote.

But on February 26, the Vatican announced that Blessed Pedro de San José de Betancur would be canonized in Guatemala City on July 30, with the Holy Father presiding. This will be the Pope’s third trip to Guatemala.