Vatican City, 13 May 2016 – The programme of the Pope's apostolic trip to Armenia, from 24 to 26 June, was published today.

The Pope will depart from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 a.m., destined for Ereván, where he is scheduled to arrive at 3 p.m. After the welcome ceremony he will transfer to the apostolic cathedral of Echmiadzin. He will then pay a courtesy visit to the president of the Republic in the presidential palace, where he will also meet with the civil authorities and the diplomatic corps, whom he will address. The day will conclude with a personal meeting with the Catholicos in the apostolic palace.

On Saturday 25 June, in the morning, he will visit the Tzitzernakaberd Memorial Complex, after which he will travel by air to Gyumri where he will celebrate Mass in Vartanants Square, followed by a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral of the Seven Wounds and the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs. At 6 p.m. he will return to Ereván to participate in the ecumenical meeting and a prayer for peace in Republic Square.

On Sunday 26 June, the Holy Father will meet with Armenian Catholic bishops in the apostolic palace of Echmiadzin; following the encounter he will participate in a Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral. Later he will lunch with the Catholicos, the archbishops and the bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic bishops and the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage in the apostolic palace. In the afternoon he will meet the delegates and benefactors of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the apostolic palace, and will sign a joint declaration. At 5 p.m. he will go to the Khor Virap monastery to pray and at 6 30 p.m. he will depart for Rome, where he is expected to arrive at around 8.40 p.m.