(dpa) - The Vatican's second highest official, Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, travelled Tuesday to Armenia two days after his initial visit on Sunday was cancelled owing to unrest in the country.
Cardinal Bertone's visit would go ahead "with some changes to the programme," the Vatican said in a statement announcing his departure from Rome for Armenia's capital Yerevan.
On Monday the European Union offered to mediate in the post-election crisis and violent unrest in Armenia that has left at least eight dead in the Caucasus republic.
The eight, including a policeman, were killed in clashes Sunday between police and opposition protestors that led the president to declare a 20-day state of emergency.
In its statement on Tuesday the Vatican said Bertone's visit to Armenia's neighbour Azerbaijan scheduled to begin Thursday through Sunday, would go ahead as planned.