Catholicos of All Armenians Meets Pope Leo XIV in Castel Gandolfo, Extends Invitation to Visit Armenia

On September 16, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the Holy Father of Rome, at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The Catholicos was accompanied by his delegation and Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

The meeting began with a fraternal embrace, followed by a private conversation between the heads of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

During the exchange, the Catholicos of All Armenians offered warm congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, recognizing both his election as the successor to the Throne of Saint Peter and his 70th birthday jubilee. He prayed for the Lord to bless the Pope with strength, wisdom, and fruitful leadership for the glory of God and the well-being of humanity.

His Holiness Karekin II reflected on the deepening ties between the two Churches, listing past visits and historic events that shaped their relationship. He remembered Pope Saint John Paul II’s visit to Armenia in 2001 and Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Holy Etchmiadzin in 2016, known as the “Visit to the First Christian Nation.” He also recalled the Divine Liturgy in Saint Peter’s Basilica in 2015 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and the proclamation of Saint Gregory of Narek, a revered figure of the Armenian Church, as a Doctor of the Universal Church.

The Catholicos expressed confidence that the brotherly relations between the Armenian and Catholic Churches will continue to grow, bringing new joint achievements and further strengthening spiritual ties.

The discussion also addressed global challenges and the difficulties facing Armenia and the Armenian people. The plight of Armenians forcibly displaced from their ancestral homeland of Artsakh was raised, along with urgent concerns about the protection of Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage in Artsakh, which is now under threat. The Catholicos also spoke about the need to secure the release of prisoners of war and hostages.

Both leaders emphasized the mission of the Churches in promoting justice, peace, and coexistence among peoples. They underlined the importance of uniting efforts to spread the message of the Gospel, defend human rights, and work toward a safe and prosperous future for humanity.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Catholicos extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Armenia. Members of the Armenian delegation received the blessing of the Holy Father of Rome, and the two sides exchanged gifts.

As part of his Vatican visit, His Holiness Karekin II also went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, where he prayed at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, asking for the repose of his soul.

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