The Pope at Malta (HQ of the Church's "Crusaders"), Sharon at Temple Mount ... Are we heading toward a confrontation between the Vatican and super-Orthodox Jewry over who shall possess the legal title to (the ruins of) Solomon's Temple? Pope To Visit Syria, Malta in May VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II will visit Syria and the Mediterranean island of Malta in early May as part of his trips to Biblical sites, the Vatican said Monday. It did not give the exact dates of the pilgrimage. In Syria, Archbishop Isidore Battikha said the pope would visit that country on May 5, discussing the Middle East peace process with President Bashar Assad. John Paul has long said that he wanted to stop in Syria as part of a Middle East pilgrimage to places associated with the start of Christianity. St. Paul's travels took him to both Malta and Syria. Last year, the pope's quest, part of Holy Year activities to mark the start of Christianity's third millennium, took him to Egypt on one trip and to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. "Sharon Poised for Win in Israel" ... 1982: As defense minister, engineers Israel's invasion of Lebanon. It is portrayed as quick, limited strike to drive Palestinian fighters from Israel's northern border. However, Israeli troops advance to outskirts of Beirut and war escalates. Israeli-allied Christian militia kill hundreds of Palestinians at refugee camps in west Beirut, sparking international outrage that leads to Sharon losing his job. Fighting in Lebanon lasts 18 years, until Barak unilaterally withdraws Israeli troops in May 2000. 2000: Sharon visits the disputed TEMPLE MOUNT Sept. 28 to emphasize Israel's claim of sovereignty. Muslims, who call the site the Noble Sanctuary, are outraged, and widespread violence breaks out a day later. The bloodshed sparks a political crisis in Israel, leading to Barak's resignation. 2001: Sharon is heavily favored Feb. 6 election.
