ROMAN CATHOLIC PONTIFF CALLED FOR TOLERANCE AND PEACE-LOVING AND APOLOGIZED FOR MISTAKES MADE BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Tomorrow, the Roman Catholic pontiff Pope John Paul II served a divine mess (on Latin) in sacristy of St. Echmiadzin. The head of Roman Catholic Church called to be tolerant and peace-loving and apologized for mistakes made by the Roman Catholic Church during its whole history. Pope II emphasized that the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church never had conflicts thanks to the head of the Armenian Church. The Pope II also expressed hope for closer cooperation in the future.

Thousands of pilgrims from all regions of Armenia, as well as from Georgia and Eastern Europe came to St. Echmiadzin to listen to the sermon.

On the eve, the head of Catholic Church and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II held an ecumenical ceremony in Yerevan's Cathedral St. Grigory Illuminator. Today, the pontiff will visit Khor Virap monastery complex, where St Grigor Illuminator was confined for spreading Christianity. Pope John Paul II will leave Armenia today in the evening.