PROGRAM OF THE PASTORAL VISIT TO KAZAKHSTAN AND ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 4, 2001 (VIS) - From September 22 to 27, John Paul II will make a pastoral visit to Kazakhstan, and an apostolic trip to Armenia on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in that country.

The Pope will depart from Rome's Fiumicino Airport on Saturday, September 22, at 8:30 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive at the International Airport of Astana, Kazakhstan, at 7:30 p.m. After the welcome ceremony, he will visit the Monument for the victims of the totalitarian regime.

On Sunday, September 23, John Paul II will celebrate Mass in Mother of the Homeland Square of Astana, followed by the recitation of the Angelus. He will then travel to the apostolic nunciature for a meeting and lunch with the ordinaries of Central Asia and with the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage. At 5:30 p.m., the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of the republic at the Presidential Palace of Astana, followed by a youth meeting at the Eurasia University.

At 10 a.m. on Monday the 24th, John Paul II will celebrate Mass with priests, religious, and seminarians at the Cathedral of the Virgin of Perpetual Help. At 6 p.m. he will meet with representatives of the world of culture, arts and science.

On Tuesday, September 25, John Paul II will celebrate Mass in private in the chapel of the apostolic nunciature and travel to the airport of Astana for a farewell ceremony. He will then depart for Yerevan, Armenia, where he is scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m. From the airport, the Pope will travel to the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin and make a prayer visit to the cathedral, where he will give a discourse. At 6 p.m. he will hold an official meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Holy Father will celebrate Mass in private on Wednesday the 26th, at 7:30 a.m., in the chapel of the apostolic palace of Etchmiadzin, followed by a courtesy visit to the president of the republic at the Presidential Palace of Yerevan. At 11:30 a.m. he is scheduled to visit the Memorial of Tzitzernagaberd at Yerevan, where he will spend time in prayer. At 1 p.m. he will have lunch with the Supreme Patriarch, with archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and with the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage. At 6:30 p.m. he will travel to the new Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator for an ecumenical celebration.

At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Latin rite at the outdoor altar of Etchmiadzin and give a homily. Following this, he will have lunch at the Armenian Catholic Center of Kanaker at Yerevan. At 4:30 p.m. he will bid farewell from the cathedral of Etchmiadzin, and at 5:30 p.m. he will visit the Monastery of Khor Virab. The Pope will then travel to the Zvarnotz International Airport of Yerevan for the farewell ceremony. He is scheduled to depart at 7:30 p.m. and to arrive in Rome at 8:45 p.m.

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