YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy, Ruben Karapetyan, held several official meetings in connection with the end of his diplomatic mission in Italy.

On January 30, the ambassador attended the reception by Pope Benedict XVI and, subsequently, he had a brief farewell meeting with the Pope, Armenian MFA press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. By way of Ambassador Karapetyan, Pope Benedict XVI conveyed his blessings and well wishes to the Armenian nation.    

On the same day, Karapetyan met with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture. They discussed the importance of cooperation in the cultural life.  

Also, Armenia’s ambassador met with the heads of all Italian-Armenian organizations in Rome. During the farewell reception that was held at the embassy, Karapetyan extended his gratitude to those present for the joint work, presented the activities that the embassy carried out in recent years, and spoke about the accomplishments that were achieved in Armenian-Italian relations.    

On February 1, Ambassador Ruben Karapetyan visited the Levonian Armenian Pontifical Seminary, where he met with director of the seminary, Archbishop Kevork Noradungian, and the students. The ambassador extended his thanks to the seminary for its support provided to the embassy during his tenure.