President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Friday met with a delegation led by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Curia (administrative apparatus of the Holy See).

Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics, Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan, also attended the talk.

The President noted that Armenia-Vatican City State diplomatic relations are distinguished by their high-level political discourse, and that the bilateral ties continue to strengthen.

In addition, Sargsyan awarded Cardinal Sandri with the Order of Friendship.

The President also noted that it is hard to overestimate the Holy See’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The interlocutors also underscored the development of cultural collaboration between Armenia and the Vatican City State.

Cardinal Sandri, for his part, expressed gratitude for the high Armenian award bestowed upon him, and the warm reception.

And the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Curia, in turn, handed to the President of Armenia the Gold Medal that was awarded to him by Pope Francis.