The plane of the pontiff landed at Yerevan's Zvartnots international airport on June 24.The official motto of his visit is “The Visit to the First Christian Nation”. Armenian News-NEWS.am presents details of the visit.
- President of Armenian Serzh Sargsyan with his spouse and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II met the Holy Father near the plane. (photos)
- The motorcade of the Bishop of Rome went to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
- Catholicos Karekin II and Pope Francis delivered speeches and read psalms in Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
- Catholicos Karekin II: Pope's visit is a renewed testament to the relationships of our Churches. Our people remember with gratitude the solemn Mass celebrated in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Basilica of St. Peter.
- Pope Francis: For Armenia, faith in Christ has not been like a garment to be donned or doffed as circumstances or convenience dictate, but an essential part of its identity.
- The Central Bank of Armenia has made a commemorative medal dedicated to His Holiness Pope Francis 's visit to the Republic of Armenia.
- Serzh Sargsyan held a private meeting with Pope Francis in Gilded Chamber at the Presidential Palace in Yerevan.
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The ceremony of the cancellation of postage stamps on occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia took place in Yerevan. The ceremony was held parallel with the tête-à-tête meeting of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Pope Francis at the Armenian presidential palace.
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The Pope has had a meeting at the Presidential residence with the representatives of the Armenian authority, public, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Yerevan.
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President Sargsyan: We are ready for peaceful regional coexistence. We simply want things to be called by their names, as it will allow two neighboring peoples to move towards genuine reconciliation and a shared prosperous future by recognizing the past and embracing forgiveness and a clean conscience.
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Pope: Genocide was the first of deplorable series of catastrophes of 20th century.
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Pope quoted armenian poet Elise Ciarenz: Our turquoise sky, our clear waters, the flood of light, the summer sun and the proud winter borealis… our age-old stones … our ancient etchedbooks which have become a prayer.
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Director of the Holy See Press Office: Pope Francis had no reason not to use the word “genocide". The reality is apparent. We have never denied the reality.
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