Pope Francis will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan from September 30 to October 2, 2016, “Armenpress” reports, he said in Vatican after returning from Armenia.

He said he accepted the invitation to visit these two countries for two reasons. “First of all, the ancient Christian roots of these lands have always been a spirit of dialogue with other religions and cultures”, he stated. As a second reason, he highlighted the “promotion of hope and ways for peace”. “The history teaches us that on the path of peace we must demonstrate great persistence and take consistent efforts starting from little to gradually increasing steps. That’s why I want every person to have his/her input on the reconciliation”, Pope Francis said. Pope Francis arrived in Armenia on June 24. The slogan of his visit was “Visit to the first Christian Nation”. A welcoming ceremony was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin.

The Pope had a meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan in the Presidential Palace, where he made an announcement addressed to Armenian officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of the society. On June 25 Pope Francis visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial, accompanied by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II. The Pope then delivered a Holy Mass in Gyumri’s Vardanants Square. During the day the Pope returned to Yerevan, where the most important and most open event for the society during his visit took place in the Republic Square. A peace prayer was delivered, which was preceded and followed by a joint festive concert of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Choir – dedicated to Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia. In the morning of June 26, a liturgy was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, which was delivered by His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II with Pope Francis.

After that, a joint statement was signed in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. Then, Pope Francis and Caltholisc of All Armenians Garegin II visted Khor Virap Monastery where they released doves symbolizing peace from a platform looking at Biblical Ararat Mountain. The same day Pope Francis departed for Vatican