The Diocesan Primate paid a pastoral visit to Mexico City on October 4, 2017 where along with His Excellency Ara Aivazian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Mexico, a series of meetings were held for the final preparations of the first ever pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians to Mexico City on October 30, 2017.  

In recognition of his astounding contributions in the field of research biology, Mr. Jose Sarukhan, was honored with a Pontifical Encyclical at the Armenian Embassy in Mexico. Often referred to as the founding father of ecological research in­­ Mexico, Professor José Sarukhán is among the best-known ecologists and conservation scientists in the world.

Archbishop Derderian and Ambassador Aivazian met with Claudio Ruiz Gutierrez, General Director of Protocol and Diplomacy of the Mexico City government's foreign affairs office. They also met with the head of the ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico Archbishop Franco Coppola, the Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico. The Primate and the Ambassador were also welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Norberto Rivera Carrera, the Archbishop of Mexico City.

Following His Holiness arrival, the Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and his delegation will visit The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most sacred site in Mexico. Later in the day, a reception in honor of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians will be held by His Excellency Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa, Mayor of Mexico City.

An ecumenical service with the participation of high ranking clergy in Mexico will be held in the Metropolitan Cathedral during which a requiem service in memoriam of those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic earthquake will be presided by His Holiness Karekin II.

The solemn service will be followed by a reception at the Memory and Tolerance Museum in Mexico’s capital.