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Armenian Presidenyt Serzh Sargsyan received today Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri and the delegation headed by him. The newly elected Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Krikor Bedros Gabroyan was also present at the meeting, the presidential press service reported.

President Sargsyan welcomed the guests and noted with satisfaction that over 20-¬year diplomatic relations between Armenia and Vatican have always been noted for a high level political dialogue. According to the President, Cardinal Sandri’s visit is a striking illustration that Armenia-¬Vatican relations are always in the focus of attention of the two sides and continue to strengthen. Serzh Sargsyan highly appreciated Cardinal Leonardo Sandri’s personal contribution to the development of bilateral interstate relations, noting his concern about the problems of the Armenian people.

President Serzh Sargsyan presented Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri with the Friendship Medal for the preservation of religious values, his significant contribution to the strengthening of ties between Armenia and the Holly See, for pro-¬Armenian activities, and also for his personal commitment and support: the Armenians do not forget the names of people who do not remain indifferent to their problems.

Serzh Sargsyan said it is difficult to overestimate the Vatican’s role not only in consolidation of the Christian world, but also the protection of human rights, and the preservation of tolerance, peace and mutual trust on the global scale. According to him, the recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide by the Vatican is graphic evidence of that.

The Armenian president stressed that the liturgy celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 12 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will remain in the Armenian people ‘s memory for a long time.
Both sides underlined the importance of cultural cooperation between Armenia and Vatican. The interlocutors praised the measures taken for that purpose, noting with satisfaction the high level cooperation that has always existed between the Holy See and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Cardinal Sandri expressed his gratitude for the high award and the warm reception, noting that it is with a feeling of friendship and great respect for the magnificent land of Armenia and its sons and daughters that he accepts such an attitude toward himself.
“Serving for many years as Substitute Secretary of State in the Holy See and now as Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Curia, I have had an occasion to participate in events that serve as an example of friendship and cooperation of your country and the Holy See: the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity by Armenia, the remarkable visit of Pope John Paul II, the erection of the statiue of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, founder of the Armenian Church, in a niche of St. Peter’s Basilica, naming one of the patios of St. Peter’s Basilica after him, numerous visits by Pontiff, as well as the Liturgy celebrated by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide, with the whole world witnessing that liturgy”.

Cradinal Sandri also said he believes that the award is given not so much to his person, as to Pope Francis, adding that it is a great honor for all those who love Armenia – a country proud of its Christian identity and generous people, of its sincerity towards other cultures, a country that respects human rights.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri handed President Sargsyan the Gold Medal awarded to him by Pope Francis.