Pope to Discuss Georgia's Territorial Integrity, Cooperation During 2-Day Visit

TBILISI (Sputnik) – Pope Francis arrived Friday in Georgia where he is going to meet President Giorgi Margvelashvili to discuss the country’s territorial integrity and boosting the bilateral cooperation, Tengiz Phaladze, the president’s adviser on foreign affairs, said.

“Georgia and Vatican as states have common international agenda. One of the most important topics for us is its [Vatican’s] position during the 2008 conflict. Of course, we will consider issues of boosting our cooperation… Vatican’s support for the Georgian territorial integrity and sovereignty is especially important for us. Along with that the pope’s visit is a great message of peace to the whole region,” Phaladze said.

The pope arrived in Tbilisi at 11:00 GMT. Along with Margvelashvili he is going to meet with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, who is the leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church.  He is also going to visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetyskhoveli in Mtskheta, one of the most important sanctuaries of Georgia.

The Pope’s visit sparked protests of some Georgian clerics, who gathered near the Tbilisi airport. They accused the Pope of proselytism – an attempt to convert Georgia in Catholicism.