President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and his wife, Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited the St. Peter’s Basilica where they toured the basilica and viewed the statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator placed in the external niche.

As reported the Staff of the President of Armenia, Sarkissian also visited the museums of Vatican City and viewed the art collections of the Popes of Rome, showcasing the most famous classic sculptures and the masterpieces of the Renaissance era.

President Sarkissian visited and laid flowers in the heart of the Catholic World — the Gardens of Vatican City as well as at the bronze statue of great son of the Armenian nation St. Gregory of Narek, who is declared the Doctor of the Universal Church. The President noted that Gregory of Narek and his legacy serve as the eternal symbol of the solidarity between the two Christian communities.

Sarkissian also visited the part of the Gardens of Vatican City where the Armenian cross-stone that Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I dedicated to Pope John Paul II in 1996 is erected.