VATICAN CITY, JULY 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- U.S. President George W. Bush is scheduled to meet John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo next Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Bush will be in Italy to attend the G-8 summit of the world´s wealthiest nations, plus Russia. He is scheduled to arrive in Genoa this Friday.

He is due to meet with the Holy Father at the papal retreat, southeast of Rome. The Pope is vacationing until Friday in the north of Italy.