Political analysts predict improvement of Armenia's image due to visit of Pope Francis

The visit of Pope Francis to Armenia will improve the country's image in the international arena. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Pope Francis will stay in Armenia during three days at the invitation of President Serzh Sargsyan, Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Catholic community.

Alexander Iskandaryan has attached great importance to the visit of Pope Francis in Armenia. According to Alexander Iskandaryan, the Vatican's policy towards Armenia is quite favourable and friendly.

"Vatican is a small state; however, the influence of its leader, the Pope, goes far beyond the Vatican City. Throughout the world, more than one billion people profess Catholicism, and for them, it is very important how the Roman Church positions itself. The Armenia's relationships with Vatican affect a number of aspects. And, in particular, that fact was demonstrated in the year of 2015, when people marked the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide," emphasized the political analyst.

However, according to Alexander Iskandaryan, Armenia will not be able to use the Pope's visit as a lever in foreign policy, since Vatican is an independent subject. "However, the very policy of the Roman Church will have a positive impact for Armenia," Alexander Iskandaryan has explained.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.