Pope Francis' 3-day visit to the first Christian state Armenia will commence at 3:00pm on Friday 24th of June and over on 26th of June in the evening, Vigen Sargsyan, the Head of the Armenian President's Staff, has told reporters.
A chorus of young singers will welcome the Pope at the airport with traditional lavash and apricots. The Pontiff will have a brief meeting with President Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Afterwards, the Pope will visit Apostolic Cathedral at Etchmiadzin to pray (Greetings given by Catholicos of All Armenia, Karekin II and by Pope Francis). Later in the evening, at 18.00pm, Courtesy visit is scheduled to Armenia's President in the Presidential Palace.
Serzh Sargsyan and Pope Francis are expected to make a statement for the representatives of the government, public and the Diplomatic Corps. A private meeting with Catholicos will be held in the Apostolic Palace later on the same day. The Pope will be staying at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin during his visit.
On Saturday, 25th of June, the Pope will visit Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. A journey by plane to Gyumri and Holy Mass in Gyumri's Vartanants Square (Homily By the Pope and greeting by Catholicos) are scheduled for the same day.
Visits are planned to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral of the Seven Wounds, to the Holy Martyrs Armenian Catholic Cathedral in Gyumri. At 18.00pm on June 25th Pope Francis will travel by plane back to Yerevan and at 19.00pm Ecumenical Encounter and Prayer for Peace will take place in Yerevan's Republic Square. On Sunday, 26th June, a meeting is scheduled with Catholic Bishops of Armenia in the Apostolic Palace at Etchmiadzin.
The following events are planned for the same day: participation in Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral (Homily by Catholicos and greeting by the Pope); Ecumenical Lunch with the Catholicos, Archbishops and Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholic Bishops of Armenia and Cardinals and Bishops from the Papal entourage in the Apostolic Palace; meeting with delegates and benefactors of the Apostolic Armenian Church in the Apostolic Palace; signing of Joint Declaration in the Apostolic Palace; Prayer at Khor Virap Monastery; (18.15pm) Farewell Ceremony at airport, departure by plane for Rome. Vigen Sargsyan said that the national postal operator "HayPost" has already printed stamps and S-sheets dedicated to the Papal visit to the first Christian country and these stamps shall be cancelled in a solemn ceremony during the visit of the Pope to Armenia on June 24. In addition, he said, the Central Bank of Armenia will issue a special memorable medal on the same day.
The head of the Presidential Staff said press centers will be set up to provide comprehensive information to media in six languages. All the events will be broadcasted live on the Armenian TV channels. He said more than 600 mass media representatives from various countries have been accredited to cover the landmark event.
Many streets in Yerevan and other towns in Armenia will be blocked during the Pope's visit.