pope_francisTBILISI, DFWatch–Pope Francis will visit Georgia in September as part of a tour of the Caucasus, by invitation of President GIorgi Margvelashvili.

The president’s administration said Saturday that Margvelashvili invited the pope last year during his visit to the Vatican.

“We have to consider the Pope’s visit to Georgia not only in religious terms, but we also have to see that the head of state of the Vatican is arriving in Georgia,” the administration said.

Relations with the Vatican are particularly important for Georgia, the statement continues, to raise awareness about the state in the Catholic world and in regard to non-recognition policy of Georgia’s occupied territories.

Pope Francis plans to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan too. He will visit Armenia from June 24 to June 26. Later, he will come to Georgia and Azerbaijan from September 30 to October 2.