ARMENPRESS

HEAD OF ARMENIAN CHURCH LEAVES FOR VATICAN

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: Head of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, His Holiness Karekin II, has left
today for Vatican at the invitation of Pope Benedict
XVI. The information department of the Mother See Holy
Etchmiadzin told Armenpress that in Vatican Karekin II
and Benedict XVI will discuss ways to make cooperation
between the two churches closer.
The information department said on May 6-9 Karekin
II will meet with Benedict XVI, then with Cardinal
Walter Kasper, he will visit also the Saleziani Papal
University. On May 9 Karekin II will participate in a
conference at the Papal Eastern Institute dedicated to
the Armenian Church Liturgy. Karekin II and Benedict
XVI will participate in the joint ecumenical ceremony.
On May 10-13 Karekin II will meet with
representatives of the Armenian community of Italy, he
will chair a ceremony marking the 50-th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Church of Forty
Saint Children in Milan. The Armenian Catholicos will
also visit Venice and the Armenian Catholic
Congregation on Saint Lazarus island.
During his visit Karekin II will be accompanied by
senior clergymen. and faithful Armenian benefactors.