Catholic World News
Feb. 26, 2008

Cardinal Bertone to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan

Vatican, Feb. 26, 2008 (CWNews.com) – Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (bio
– news), the Vatican Secretary of State, who is traveling in Cuba
this week, will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in March.

The Vatican revealed today that Cardinal Bertone will visit Armenia
>From March 2 to 6, and continue on to Azerbaijan from March 6 to 9.
In each of the two neighboring countries the cardinal will meet with
both religious and political leaders.

During his stay in Armenia, the Vatican announced, the cardinal will
meet with Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, and bring him a personal message from Pope Benedict XVI (bio
– news). Relations between the Holy See and the Armenian Apostolic
Church have been particularly warm in recent years. In 1996, Pope
John Paul II (bio – news) and Catholicos Karekin I (the predecessor
of the current Armenian Church leader) signed a joint theological
accord that virtually ended the theological dispute that caused the
split between the Armenian Church and Rome 1500 years ago.

In Azerbaijan the cardinal is scheduled to meet with Sheikh
Allashukur Pashazade, a key Muslim leader. In he will also
participate in ceremonies for the opening of a new Catholic church in
Baku, on land donated by former President Heydar Aliyev.