The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI receives many invitations and that a trip to Lebanon is under consideration but that there are no plans for a visit to Iran.
The Italian news agency ANSA on Wednesday quoted Iran's ambassador to the Holy See as saying Iran issued an invitation to the pope in 2010 and that he would be welcomed to that country with "enthusiasm."
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi says the pope does have a Middle East trip "under study," a possible September visit to Lebanon to present a document on the future of the church in the region.