Despite Assassination Plot, Pope Holds Mass In Papua New Guinea

Undeterred by an assassination plot in the Philippines, Pope John Paul II held an outdoor Mass in a downpour today.

The pontiff also continued to travel around Port Moresby in the back of a white pickup truck with a yellow canopy providing the only protection - from the elements.

Police on this South Pacific island were trying to downplay rumors of another threat to the pontiff, but clearly were concerned about the whereabouts of two Iranian carpet salesmen who disappeared right before he arrived.

In Manila, security officials said Monday that terrorists had plotted to kill John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines.

Brig. Gen. Leo Alves, chief of the presidential security group that guarded the pope, said agents seized a copy of the pontiff’s route through the streets of Manila from “terrorists,” who were arrested.

Rumors swept Port Moresby late Monday that police had launched a large-scale search for possible assassins.

Police acknowledged they were looking for two Iranians traveling on business visas to make “an additional security clearance.” The men checked out of their hotel three hours before the pope arrived.