Pope Francis said he was happy to visit Armenia after his three-day journey to the first Christian nation.

“I am happy to have visited Armenia, the first nation to accept Christianity as its religion, and I thank all for the welcome. #PopeInArmenia,” says a message on pontiff’s official Twitter that was posted minutes after his plane took off from Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport.

During a three-day visit the pontiff held numerous meetings in Armenia. The Bishop of Rome visited Memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims where he laid white roses paying tribute to the innocent victims, headed to Gyumri, the center of Armenian Catholics.

Pope Francis and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II held an ecumenical ceremony in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

On the final day of his journey, the pontiff attended the Divine Liturgy conducted by Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzin.

Pope Francis also visited Khor Virap mоnastery – a sacred place for all Armenians where Saint Gregory remained in the pit for almost 14 years. The Head of Catholic Church and Caholicos Karekin II released doves in the direction of Mount Ararat.

I am happy to have visited Armenia, the first nation to accept Christianity as its religion, and I thank all for the welcome. #PopeInArmenia

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 26, 2016