NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      YEREVAN, Armenia (CWNews.com) - The religious and political leaders of the former Soviet republic of Armenia announced on Tuesday that Pope John Paul II will visit their country in July.

      Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Geregin I and President Robert Kocharyan had invited the Holy Father to come to Armenia, according to Deputy Catholicos Garegin Nerseyan at a news conference held by Prime Minister Armen Darbinyan. They also announced the preparations for the papal visit which include a stop at the Armenian Apostolic Church in St. Echmiadzine, a cathedral in Garmi, and Ashotsk (Gukasyan) which has a large Catholic community.

      The Pontiff will visit a primarily Orthodox country for the first time next month when he travels to Romania. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to reach out to Orthodox Christians, including those in Russia. The Vatican has not yet confirmed that the visit to Armenia will take place.