Your trusted source

19։18
President Serzh Sargsyan presented to His Holiness Pope Francis a bronze statuette of the genius of the medieval Armenian thought, a Doctor of the Universal Church Saint Gregory of Narek. During the Pope’s visit, at the Presidential Palace there took place the ceremony of cancelling of a stamp and four postage stamps designed into a mini sheet in a form of a cross, dedicated to the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Armenia. The President of Armenia presented them to His Holiness Pope Francis. The souvenir sheet with one stamp depicts Pope Francis against the backgrounds of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as well as the logo dedicated to the visit of Pope Francis to Armenia and the coat of arms of Pope Francis.

His Holiness Pope Francis presented to the President of Armenia the original of the commemorative medal, which was made on a special occasion of his visit to the Republic of Armenia.

18։56
“We are grateful for accepting our invitation to visit the First Christian country and bringing Your blessing four Our people,” President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech welcoming Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace.

“We’re glad to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Armenia and Vatican. During those years, the visit of Pope St. John Paul II to Armenia and the placing of the statue of Gregory the Illuminator at St. Peter’s Basilica were historical events for Armenians.

I certainly mean Your liturgy dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Declaring Narek, a great child of the Armenian people, Doctor of the Universal Church was also significant for us,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

After the welcome speech, a meeting and exchange of gifts between the President of Armenia and the Pope was held.

18։06
Pope Francis arrived in Yerevan from Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the Pope at the Presidential Palace, where meetings with the Armenian President, civil authorities and the Diplomatic Corps are planned.

After the meeting, both Pope Francis and the President of Armenia will deliver their speeches.

The Pope will return to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to have a private meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Pope Francis will stay at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
17։33
Pope Francis addresses his speech during Hrashapar (Glorious God) Welcoming Service

“I consider it God’s precious gift to be able to approach this Holy table, from which Christ’s light spread in Armenia,” the Pontiff, Pope Francis of Rome said in his speech during Hrashapar (Glorious God) Welcoming Service in the Cathedral of The Mother See on June 24.

Pope Francis also thanked His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians for the invitation to the Biblical country.

“Your Holiness, thank You for hosting me in your home. This sign of love more than words, is an eloquent manifestation of friendship and brotherly love,” the Pope said.

According to Pope Francis, the belief in Christ for Armenians wasn’t a dress to wear only on occasions, rather a real component of their identity, an excellent reward accepted with joy and maintained with diligence and strength.

16։11
His Holiness Pope Francis is in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. A solemn procession of clergy and pilgrims met His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and Pope Francis at the Gate of King Trdat. A welcoming service was offered. The pastors next moved to the Holy Cathedral, approached the Altar of Descent and kissed the Bible and the Holy cross.

His Holiness Karekin II and Pope Francis then went to the Main Altar to make welcoming speeches.

15։33
His Holiness Pope Francis is already in Armenia. The Pope was welcomed by Serzh Sargsyan, the President of Armenia, Rita Sargsyan, the First Lady and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians at “Zvartnots” International Airport.

Besides theofficial welcoming ceremony, His Holiness was greeted by the Little Singers Choir of Armenia. The children offered Pope Francis the Armenian symbol of apricot and lavash.

From Zvartnots International Airport, the Pope will travel to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where a welcoming service will be offered in the Mother Cathedral. Later, Pope Francis will have a private meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan, followed by statements to Armenia’s state officials, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia and the public.

The first day will conclude with a meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia will be streamed live on YouTube . The live broadcast is available in three languages - in Armenian, Russian, and English.

Photos from the official website of the RA President
Information Service of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Photolur