On September 15–16, Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, held several official meetings at the Vatican, including with senior cardinals of various institutions of the Holy See.
The Catholicos met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. Alongside broader discussions on global conflicts and regional developments, the talks emphasized the importance of efforts by the international community, including sister churches, to ensure lasting peace. Karekin II specifically raised concerns over the rights of displaced Artsakh Armenians, the preservation of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage, and the release of Armenian prisoners of war and state officials held in Azerbaijan.
He also visited the Congregation for the Eastern Catholic Churches, where he met with its Prefect, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti. His Holiness expressed appreciation for the cardinal’s warm regard and service to the Armenian people and Church.
Additional meetings were held with Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Cardinal José Tolentino, head of the Dicastery for Culture and Education; and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church, pressing issues facing the Armenian people, challenges confronting the Christian world, and the preservation of Christian values and heritage.
On the evening of September 16, the delegation led by the Catholicos returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Catholicos also raised the same concerns about Artsakh Armenians and prisoners of war in his audience with Pope Leo XIV, to whom he extended an invitation to visit Armenia.
