His Holiness Aram I embarked Sunday afternoon on his visitation program which will extended over three full days.

Arriving by a private plane at the Ciampino airport with his delegation composed of Archbishops and Bishops, His Holiness was met by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper the president of the Pontifical Council for promoting Christianity and the ambassador of Lebanon Mr. George El-Khoury. Present at the airport to welcome His Holiness were also Bishops and other officials of deferent departments of the Vatican.

Welcoming His Holiness Cardinal Kasper said that this is an important visit for the Roman Catholic Church, because it will enhance the ecumenical relations between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Church in general and the Catholicosate of Cilicia in particular.

Responding to the Cardinal, His Holiness expressed his joy to be once again in the Vatican. He said: “This is my second visit to the Holy See. My first official visit was in 1997. In the last 11 years new areas of relation, dialogue and collaboration opened before our Churches. We are living in a world torn apart by so many crises. The Churches cannot remain indifferent and silent. We must be faithful to our common calling. We must work together; we must carry on our God-given mission together. Long standing relations exist between the Holy See and the Holy See of Cilicia. I’m confident that my meeting with His Holiness Benedict XVI and with the authorities of Church of Rome will provide us a unique opportunity to assess our ecumenical journey, with a firm commitment to broaden our relations, strengthen our collaboration and deepen our theological dialogue”.

On the same evening, His Holiness paid an official visit to the Embassy of Armenia to Italy. A reception was organized in honor of His Holiness. Also the pilgrims who have joined His Holiness coming from different parts of the world attended the reception at the Armenian Embassy. In his remarks His Holiness emphasized the importance of the Armenian Embassies as bridge builders between the Armenian communities in Diaspora and Armenia. The Catholicos also stressed the importance of nation building. He said: “All the Armenians must take an active part in nation building process. A strong Armenia implies a united and organized nation. A strong Armenia also presupposes a strong Diaspora. They complement each other”.

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