JOHN PAUL II TO MAKE PASTORAL VISITS TO ARMENIA AND ANCONA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II will undertake a pastoral visit to Armenia from July 2 to 4. He will leave from Fiumicino Airport, Rome on July 2 at 10 a.m. and return to the Italian capital on July 4 at 10:15 p.m.

During his first apostolic trip to Armenia he will visit the cities of Yerevan, Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Ashotsk and Gyumri.

Among other things, the Pope will make a courtesy visit to the president of the republic, pray at the monument to the Armenian genocide and participate in an ecumenical encounter in the apostolic cathedral of Etchmiadzin. Furthermore, he will celebrate Mass in the Armenian rite on the esplanade of the "Redemptoris Mater" Hospital of Ashotsk.

Before saying farewell to His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I of all Armenians, the Holy Father will hold an ecumenical prayer service in memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake, in the apostolic cathedral of the Holy Virgin of the Seven Wounds (Yota Verk) of Gyumri.

Also made public today was the itinerary for the Pope's pastoral visit to Ancona, Italy on Sunday, May 30. The Holy Father will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. in Conero Stadium, where he will also recite the angelus. In the afternoon he is scheduled to have a meeting with the clergy, religious and representatives of the laity involved in diocesan pastoral ministries. Before returning to the Vatican by helicopter, he will greet the patients at the city's regional hospital.

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