CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II TO BE PRESENT AT FUNERAL OF POPE
By Tatoul Hakobian

azg/arm
7 April 05

Robert Kocharian Last President to Visit John Paul II

Press service of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin informed that Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, will be present at the funeral of Pope
John Paul II. The Delegation of the Armenian government will also
leave for Vatican to participate in the funeral.

Mediamax reminded Robert Kocharian, RA President, was the last
president to the Pontiff. He received the Armenian President on
January 28, 2005.

In the course of the meeting with Robert Kocharian, John Paul II
reminded of his visit to Armenia in the September of 2001. The Pope
was invited to Armenia in connection with the arrangements of 1700th
anniversary of Adoption of Christianity in Armenia.

“I send my heartily greetings to the people of Armenia, as well
as to the millions of Armenians speared throughout the world that
preserve their cultural and Christian traditions,” John Paul II told
President Kocharian.

“I wish the best to your small motherland Nagorno Karabakh, so that
stable peace is maintained there. This will stop violence and will
help begin a dialogue based of tolerance between the sides. The active
international mediation will contribute to that,” John Paul II said.

On January 30, John Paul II was taken to the hospital with the first
symptoms of flu.

On January 19, John Paul II consecrated the statue of St. Gregory
the Illuminator that was erected in Vatican. Khachik Gazanchian,
a French Armenian sculpture, is the author of the statue.

In 2000 John Paul II handed the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator
to Karekin II. The relics are in the Cathedral of Yerevan at present.