Pope Francis to visit Cuba before arriving in U.S.April 22, 2015 - 17:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Vatican says Pope Francis will visit Cuba before arriving in the United States in the last week of September, the Guardian reports. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev Federico Lombardi, confirmed the Cuba leg to reporters Wednesday, April 22. He didn’t provide details or dates. Francis has been credited with helping the United States and Cuba reach their historic rapprochement by writing to the leaders of both countries and having the Vatican host their delegations for the final negotiations. Francis’s visit to Cuba would be a way for him to push the process forward. He is scheduled to visit three U.S. cities starting around September 23. He will address Congress and meet with President Barack Obama at the White House, address the UN in New York and attend a church rally for families in Philadelphia. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |