Karekin II invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Armenia

ArmInfo. On September 16,  a meeting between Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Pope Leo  XIV was held in the Vatican 

As reported by the Chancellery of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin,  after a fraternal greeting, the patriarchs of the Armenian Apostolic  Church and the Roman Catholic Church held a private conversation. The  Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed to the Pope his heartfelt  congratulations on his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church,  as well as on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Pontiff's  birth, praying that the Heavenly Lord will grant him strength and  ability for the glory of God and for the peaceful and prosperous life  of humanity.

Karekin II noted with satisfaction that the fraternal ties between  the two Churches have been strengthened through warm meetings and  shared witnesses of faith, recalling the  late Pope John Paul II's  visits to Armenia in  2001 and in 2016, the significant occasion of  receiving the late Pope Francis in Holy Etchmiadzin as part of the  pilgrimage entitled "Visit to the First Christian Country". Among the  significant milestones in the relations between the Armenian and  Roman Catholic Churches, His Holiness noted the Divine Liturgy  celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica in 2015 on the occasion of the  centenary of the Armenian Genocide, and the proclamation of Gregory  of Narek by the Holy See as one of its saints. The Catholicos of All  Armenians expressed confidence that the relations between the two  Churches will continue to develop in the same fraternal spirit and  warmth, leading to new and good joint achievements.

During the conversation, both Patriarchs touched upon the alarming  events taking place in the world and the challenges and trials that  Armenia and the Armenian people have faced. The issues of the  Armenians of Artsakh, expelled from the cradle of their ancestors,  the preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage,  facing the threat of  destruction in Artsakh, the need to release  prisoners of war and hostages were also brought to the attention of  the Pope.

The Patriarchs emphasized the importance of the mission of the  Churches in establishing justice and peace on earth and ensuring the  harmonious coexistence of peoples. The need to unite the efforts of  the Churches in the name of spreading the light of the Gospel,  protecting human rights and building a prosperous and secure world  was emphasized. In conclusion, His Holiness invited Pope Leo XIV to  visit Armenia.

As part of his visit to the Vatican, the Catholicos of All Armenians  also visited the Basilica of St. Mary in Rome, where he prayed to God  at the tomb of the late Pope Francis for the repose of his soul.