This photo, taken from the Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Turkey, shows U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and his wife Marie visiting the Armenian Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island.

The ambassador was on a recent working visit to Van.

According to the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, Ambassador Ricciardone said, “Van is a very special, very important and historic venue for Armenians and Americans.”

“Those who come here come without hesitation. This is a place worth seeing, a place full of peace,” he’s reported to have said.