CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II INVITES POPE TO VISIT ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 10, 2000 (VIS) - Last evening in the Vatican Pope John Paul welcomed His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, together with prelates, priests and lay people representing the Apostolic Armenian Church, and the minister for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

In his discourse, the Holy Father spoke of the Catholicos' predecessor, Karekin I, recalling that he was a guest in the Vatican in March 1999, shortly before his death several months later, and adding that his ties with him "were deep, and I very much wanted to visit Armenia."

Pointing out that Karekin II's visit to the Vatican and Rome is taking place during the Jubilee Year 2000, the Pope observed that "soon there will be another Jubilee, the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Baptism of Armenia." He went on to say that "the history of the Armenian people and the Armenian Church ... is a history in which grandeur and persecution, joy and sorrow are intermingled."

"The Armenian Church has paid dearly for its fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" said the Pope. "At the Ecumenical Commemoration of the Witnesses of Faith of the 20th Century on May 7 this year, we recalled in a special way the immense sufferings of the Armenian people." Then, quoting "Tertio Millennio Adveniente," he said: "Perhaps the most convincing form of ecumenism is the ecumenism of the saints and of the martyrs. The 'communio' speaks louder than the things which divide us'."

"By God's grace," said John Paul II, in concluding remarks, "Armenia has found new freedom and independence. Yet Armenia still faces enormous challenges. ... On the cultural and religious level there is still much to be done to fill the spiritual void left behind by a godless and collectivist ideology. ... The Catholic Church wants to stand with the Apostolic Armenian Church, to support its spiritual and pastoral ministry to the Armenian people, in complete respect for its way of life and characteristic identity."

In his talk, Catholicos Karekin II said "it is our pleasure to renew our invitation to you to visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, and to participate in the celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of the conversion of the Armenian people to Christianity."

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