Vatican says plans for Pope Turkey trip go ahead

VATICAN CITY, Oct 3 (Reuters) Pope Benedict has been informed of the hijack of a Turkish Airlines plane in which the hijackers reportedly want to deliver a message to him in protest at his planned trip to Turkey, the Vatican said today.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Holy See was following developments closely and that preparations for the November 28-December 1 trip were going ahead.

REUTERS SP KN2250