Following his three-day visit to Armenia, Pope Francis thanked God and all the Armenians for his recent stopover in the nation that became the first to embrace Christianity in 301.

Addressing people at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the pontiff thanked the President of Armenia and Catholicos Karekin II and the Catholic bishops “for welcoming me as a pilgrim in fraternity and peace.”

“This past weekend I made a Pastoral Visit to Armenia, the first nation to embrace the Christian faith and a people which has remained faithful even in the midst of great trials,” Francis said.

“I also plan to go to Georgia and Azerbaijan in the near future, to affirm the ancient Christian roots of those countries and to support every effort to encourage peace and reconciliation in a spirit of respect for all.

“With gratitude for the welcome and fellowship showed me by the Armenian Apostolic Church, I ask Virgin Mary to strengthen Christians everywhere to remain firm in the faith and to work for a society of ever greater justice and peace,” the pope added.

Francis visited Armenia on June 24-26.