Pope meets Armenian president

(December 12, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday received in the Vatican Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan who later along with his foreign minister Edward Nalbadian also met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardianal Tarcisio Bertone and Vatican under-secretary for Relations with states, Monsignor Ettore Balestrero. A Vatican statement said that during the friendly talks the two sides exchanged opinion on the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church in society and their contribution to the common good. They also underscored the importance of the Christian heritage of Armenia and the commitment of educating the young generation to fundamental values. Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Holy See were established on 23 May, 1992. Pope Benedict on Monday also met privately Jonathan Sacks the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.