The reception ceremony for His Holiness Pope Francis has started at the Presidential Palace, where he will meet with the Armenian authorities, representatives of the Armenian public, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Yerevan.
Prior to that, President Serzh Sargsyan and His Holiness Pope Francis had a private meeting at the Golden Hall of the Presidential Palace.
At the meeting, in accordance with the protocol the ceremony of gift exchange was held. Special souvenirs, a stamp and four postage stamps designed into a mini sheet in a form of a cross, dedicated to the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Armenia were presented to him. On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis's visit to the Republic of Armenia, the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia has issued a commemorative medal. Pope Francis has also received it as a gift from the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.
His Holiness Pope Francis presented to the President of Armenia the original of the commemorative medal, which was made on a special occasion of his visit to the Republic of Armenia.