BEIRUT. – Pope Benedict XVI has already arrived in Lebanon and the scheduled events are underway, Editor-in-Chief Shahan Kandaharian of Lebanon’s Aztag Armenian daily told Armenian News-NEWS.am.  

He noted that the Pope is expected to also visit the Bzommar convent, which belongs to the Armenuan Catholic Church, where he will consecrate Hakob Meghapart’s monument erected in connection with the 500th anniversary of Armenian printed books.   

“It is a very old church and it attests to the Armenians’ having settled in Lebanon long ago. Also, it is an Armenian cultural center, where there are numerous locals who cooperate with the heads of Armenian projects, centers, [and] also with Armenia’s Matenadaran [Armenian ancient manuscript museum],” Kandaharian noted.

Following the consecration ceremony, a dinner will be served at the refectory of the Armenian Catholic Church in Lebanon, and, subsequently, an address will be delivered.          

In Shahan Kandaharian’s words, the Pope’s visit has a special importance for the Armenian Catholic community.