Pope Francis Returns from Armenia

Pontiff spends three days in the first country to accept Christianity as its religion.

                                                                               Pope Francis with Catholicos Karekin II of the Armenian Catholic Church

Pope Francis has completed a three day visit to Armenia. The visit included a number of important and symbolic moments.

At an event in the Capital, Yerevan, the Pontiff called on young people to be active peacemakers in a world of persecutions and conflict. He also spent some time in an orphanage for children which is run by the Congregation of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. While there he joined 60 children for lunch at the centre.

On Saturday Pope Francis visited the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and the Armenian Catholic Cathedral. Both are located in the city of Gyumri, the second biggest city after Yerevan.

The Pope also used the visit to remember the many Armenians who perished during the Metz Yeghern massacre in 1915. He went on to urge Armenians to reconcile with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Before departing Armenia last evening, the Pope travelled to a monastery located beside the closed border between Turkey and Armenia. During his time at the monastery he released doves as a symbolic gesture of peace. Pope Francis will also travel to Azerbaijan later this year. 

On his return flight to Rome Pope Francis was asked about the recent “Brexit” vote in Britain which he said 'expressed the will on the people'. He also commented that the result illustrates 'division' and that 'fraternity is better, and bridges are better than walls'.