The Gyumri Municipal Council yesterday approved the expenditure of 1 million AMD (US$2,093) for fireworks on June 24, the day Pope Francis will visit Armenia’s second largest city, even though the Roman Catholic church leader will only be staying until 4 p.m., several hours before sunset.

Municipal Council member Levon Barseghyan argues that such an expenditure isn’t a luxury given that it’s not every day that the Pope of Rome visits Gyumri.

Barseghyan agrees with Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan, who filed a 2 million expenditure request for the pope’s visit, who says that the day will be a holiday for all and that the fireworks are for the residents of Gyumri and the guests who will arrive for the day.

Mayor Balasanyan has stated that the two million will be fully accounted for.

On the social assistance front, the municipal council also approved the expenditure of 920,000 AMD in order to pay 10,000 AMD ($21) each to 189 eligible recipients.