John Paul II Planning 5 Trips Abroad in 2003

The most closely planned trip is that to Spain, scheduled for May 3-4, the Vatican Press Office confirmed today. During the 48-hour trip, the Pope will only visit Madrid.

In addition to a June 5-8 visit to Croatia, the Vatican organizers of papal trips are also preparing for a possible visit to Bosnia, perhaps at the end of June; another to Slovakia, probably in September; and finally to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Earlier this month, Patrick Cox, president of the Parliament, invited the 82-year-old Pope to address the European assembly.