Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 yesterday morning, paid a three-day visit to Armenia in 2016. The Pope described the visit to the Christian nation a “pilgrimage.” “I come as a pilgrim, during this Jubilee Year, to draw upon the ancient wisdom of your people and ⬇️
to drink from the wellspring of your faith, steadfast as your famous crosses sculpted in stone,” the Pope said in a message ahead of the visit. Pope Franics visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial. After a prayer at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims, ⬇️
the Pope visited the Memory Alley, where he watered & blessed a fir-tree planted on his behalf.His Holiness Karekin II,Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians & His Holiness Pope Francis led an Ecumenical Encounter & Prayer for Peace at the Republic Square in Yerevan.⬇️
Speaking at an open air prayer service in Yerevan to leaders of all the Churches in Armenia, the Pope called on people of faith to abandon “rigid opinions and personal interests”, showing instead humility and generosity on the path towards full Christian unity. ⬇️
Pope Francis, in his words to the Christian leaders, also spoke of that “immense and senseless slaughter”, saying it is not only right, but also a duty to keep the memory of that tragedy alive. But memory, he insisted, must be transformed by love and by the driving force of ⬇️
faith to sow seeds of peace for the future. Memory, infused with love, he said, becomes capable of setting out on new and unexpected paths, where designs of hatred become projects of reconciliation. ⬇️
Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II signed a joint declaration giving thanks for the progress towards Christian unity and appealing for peace in the Middle East and other regions torn apart by conflict, terrorism and religious persecution. ⬇️
On Easter Sunday Pope Francis prayed for a final peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and for healing in the region. Pope Francis dedicates his Easter Urbi et Orbi message to calling for peace worldwide, for global disarmament and for the release of prisoners. ⬆️