On May 13, 2016 the agenda and details of Holy Father Pope Francis’ pastoral visit was published on the RA President’s official website, which we present according to that publication.

Holy Father Pope Francis’ visit to the Republic of Armenia will start on June 24, 2016. The official welcoming ceremony will be held upon his arrival at the Zvartnots International Airport, after which the Holy Father will go to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, where a welcoming service will be offered in the Mother Cathedral.

On the same day, the Holy Father will meet with the RA President Serzh Sargsyan, with the RA authorities and community leaders, society and the representatives of diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace. The first day will conclude with a meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

On the morning of June 25, the Holy Father will visit Tsitsernakaberd, Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum. Then the Holy Father Pope Francis with His Holiness Garegin II will visit Gyumri, where a Divine Liturgy will be offered in Vardanants Square.

The Pope will also visit Our Lady of Armenia Convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Gyumri, then the Seven Wounds St. Mary Church of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Holy Martyrs Armenian Catholic Cathedral. In the evening, an outdoor Ecumenical Service and Peace Prayer will be held in Yerevan- in Republic Square.

On June 26, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Pope Francis will meet with Armenian Catholic bishops, and then participate in a Divine Liturgy and an Ecumenical dinner, along with the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Archbishops and Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, Armenian Catholic Archbishops and Bishops and the Papal delegation. Pope Francis will also meet delegates and benefactors of the Armenian Church. His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Garegin II will sign a joint declaration.

The Spiritual leaders will offer their prayers at the Khor Virap Monastery, after which Pope Francis will depart for Rome.

Tranlsated by Narineh Aghasaryan