Ambassador Minasyan presented his credentials to Pope Farancis

On June 7, Mikayel Minasyan, the first resident Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Holy See, presented his credentials to Pope Francis.

During the conversation Ambassador Minasyan and Pope Francis touched upon bilateral historical relations between Armenia and the Holy See, and its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. In this regard, Ambassador Minasyan mentioned that he intends to direct the activity of the newly established Armenian Embassy to the Holy See towards the further enhancement of bilateral cultural relations, spiritual commonalities, as well as the protection and restoration of the Armenian Christian heritage which is an integral part of the world cultural heritage.

Ambassador Minasyan delivered to the Pope the fraternal greetings of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. He also extended his gratitude to Pope Francis for his position on the Armenian Genocide expressed during the meeting with Nerses Bedros 19, the Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics.

During the meeting, Ambassador Minasyan extended an invitation to the Pope by the President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, to visit Armenia. The Bishop promised to consider the possibility of visiting Armenia.

After the meeting with the Pope, according to the protocol of the Holy See, Ambassador Minasyan had a tête-à-tête with the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.

During the meeting, Cardinal Bertone expressed gratitude to the President of Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan for paying great importance to the further development of bilateral relations between Armenia and Holy See and welcomed the decision to establish an Embassy and appoint a resident Ambassador to the Holy See. Secretary of State also announced that State Secretariat is discussing the opening of Nunciature to Armenia.

Photos by Osservatore Romano