The Vatican has announced plans to return a 16th century icon to the Russian Orthodox church in a gesture aimed at warming relations between the two churches.

　　Pope John Paul II said through a spokesman Saturday that a Vatican delegation will take the Madonna of Kazan back to Russia on August 28.

　　The Kazan Madonna was stolen from Russia in the early 20th century and later presented to the pope.

　　The pope had hoped to take the relic to Russia himself last year, but the trip was canceled.

　　Relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches have been strained for years.

　　Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.