Georgian PM hosts farewell meeting with Vatican Ambassador
The PM also extended his gratitude to Bettencourt for his contribution to “strengthening and deepening” the relations, and for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. Photo: PM's press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday held a farewell meeting with José Avelino Bettencourt, the Ambassador of the Holy See to Georgia, after the latter completed his diplomatic term in the country.
The meeting discussed cooperation between Georgia and Vatican, with the parties “positively assessing” the dynamics of relations in culture, science and education, the Government Administration said.
Garibashvili highlighted the “friendly ties” between the sides during the discussion.
The PM also extended his gratitude to Bettencourt for his contribution to “strengthening and deepening” the relations, and for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
Pope Francis on Wednesday congratulated Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia’s Orthodox Church, on the double celebration of his 90th birthday and the 45th anniversary of his time at the helm of the religious organisation.
Pope Francis will visit Georgia in late September, the Vatican has confirmed. The visit will be part of the Pope’s Caucasus tour, which will involve Azerbaijan and Armenia too.
Pope Francis departed Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport about 8am this morning after spending two days in Georgia.
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has been invited to visit Georgia as Georgian leaders look to intensify ties between the two nations.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili will feature at the unveiling of a mosaic mural of the Holy Virgin of Iveria in the Vatican on Tuesday to mark a “new milestone” in bilateral ties, the Georgian foreign office said on Monday.
Georgia has been “given a unique opportunity” to present its ancient culture among the world masterpieces in the Vatican - “a space carrying cultural values of world importance”, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said on Tuesday at the inaugural ceremony of unveiling a Georgian mosaic mural of Our Lady of Iviron in the Holy See in the Vatican city.