The Holy Father receives His Holiness Karekin II

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, paid an official visit to the Vatican from 15 to 16 September, and was received in private audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday 16 September at Castel Gandolfo.

During his visit, His Holiness Karekin II also held meetings at their respective offices with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State; Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Upon his arrival, the Catholicos went to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he was welcomed by Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest of the Basilica.

The visit concluded with a luncheon hosted by Cardinal Koch, attended by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for the Relations with States, and Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary Emeritus of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

The Catholicos' delegation included: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the Holy See; Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Head of the Postgraduate Department of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary; Bishop Hovakim Manoukyan, Primate of the Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland; the Revd Garegin Hambardzumyan, Director of the Ecumenical Department; the Revd Vahram Melikyan, Director of Communications; the Revd Yesay Artenian, Secretary to the Catholicos; and Mr Souren Ter-Grigorian.