Pope Francis may travel to Armenia after Turkey visitSeptember 10, 2014 - 14:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis has confirmed during a private audience with the Turkish Ambassador to the Holy See, Kenan Gürsoy, that he hopes to travel to Turkey in the near future, Daily Sabah reported. The 77-year-old pontiff's comments came on Monday, September 8 as Gürsoy visited him to bid farewell, as the ambassador is due to leave Rome following the end of his assignment. Francis is expected to visit the Turkish capital of Ankara on November 29 and then Istanbul, in order to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew the following day, according to media reports. He is expected to use the visit to call for an end to the killing of Middle Eastern Christians in Iraq and Syria. Diplomatic sources said the pope told the Turkish envoy he was looking forward to visiting Turkey, after which he is also expected to visit Armenia. Francis was originally invited to Turkey earlier this summer by Bartholomew, the Orthodox Patriarch, who had recently travelled to the Vatican from Turkey to take part in prayers for peace between the Argentinian pope and Israeli and Palestinian leaders, according to Rome's La Repubblica newspaper and diplomatic sources. The visit is expected to be announced officially once newly-installed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issues a formal invitation to the Roman Catholic leader to come to Turkey. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |