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[MosJan]

POPE PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE
Armenian ambassador to France Edward Nalbandian who also combines his duties with those of Armenia’s ambassador to Holy See of Vatican, presented his credentials to the Pope John Paul II on Saturday. The Armenian ambassador conveyed to the Pontiff the greetings of the Armenian president Robert Kocharian and head of the Armenian Church Catholicos Karekin II.


In a conversation that followed the official ceremony, the Pope John Paul II paid tribute to the Christian roots of Armenia's history and culture ahead of his upcoming trip to Armenia.


John Paul said he is preparing for his September 25-27 trip to Armenia "with joy" and said he hoped the visits would improve ties with the Orthodox church. "Your country has a long history - and a long Christian history," John Paul told the ambassador. "The history of Armenia is marked by many sufferings, due in grand part to its geographic situation, confined by great powers,. but its cultural and religious identity always survived," he said. He referred to the 1915 massacre of Armenians in Turkey, saying Armenia had achieved its independence after the "immense distresses at the start of the last century, culminating with the tragic events of 1915."


At the end of a lengthy conversation the Pontiff asked the ambassador to convey his warmest greetings to the president of Armenia and Catholics Karekin II.


During his trip to Vatican Armenian ambassador also had meetings with other senior clergymen and have discussed the details of the Pope’s visit to Armenia. The visit and meetings were widely reported by Italian and Vatican press.


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