Exchange Of Addresses Between Catholicos Aram I And Pope Leo Xiv

Exchange Of Addresses Between Catholicos Aram I And Pope Leo Xiv:

The private meeting between the two spiritual leaders was followed by an official exchange of addresses in the presence of members of His Holiness’s delegation and representatives of the Vatican.
In his address, His Holiness Aram I referred to the historic relationship between the Armenian Church and the Vatican, a relationship that expanded significantly during the period of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom after the 11th century. This relationship was further strengthened with the emergence of the ecumenical movement and found expression through theological dialogues, inter-church meetings, and various forms of cooperation. Catholicos Aram I then highlighted two important points:
I) He expressed his deep gratitude for the support shown by the Vatican regarding the Armenian Genocide and the restoration of the rights of the Armenian people, as well as for its support of the right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh.
II) His Holiness welcomed the Vatican’s support for Lebanon, recalling that Lebanon occupies a special place in the life of the Armenian nation, as it became the center of the renaissance of the Armenian nation following the Genocide. He also emphasized Lebanon’s importance as a country of Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Underscoring the special importance of inter-church relations, His Holiness Aram I stated that the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia would continue its close cooperation with the Vatican and, more broadly, with the Catholic Church in the same ecumenical spirit and commitment.
In his address, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV likewise referred to the relationship between the Armenian Church and the Catholic Church, particularly during the Cilician period, and later to its further development after the Catholicosate of Cilicia was transferred to Antelias, Lebanon. Within this context, he also praised the important role of His Holiness Aram I in the ecumenical movement, especially through the World Council of Churches and in expanding cooperation with the Catholic Church. In his remarks, Pope Leo XIV referred to Saint Nerses Shnorhali as a champion of inter-church relations. “My thoughts turn to Saint Nerses the Gracious, Catholicos of Cilicia, who may be regarded as a pioneer of ecumenism – and whose recent inclusion in the Roman Martyrology is a further example of that “ecumenism of the saints” which already unites our Churches,” stated His Holiness. Pope Leo further stressed the importance of Lebanon both for Christianity in the region and as a model of Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Following the official exchange of addresses, His Holiness Aram I introduced the archbishops, bishops and clergy who were members of the delegation, after which gifts were exchanged. The Catholicos presented Pope Leo with a replica of the Gospel of Partserpert, while the Pope offered a bronze sculpture depicting the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
Subsequently, a joint service was held in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Apostolic Palace under the presidency of Pope Leo XIV and Catholicos Aram I. The ceremony consisted of prayers and hymns drawn from the liturgical tradition of the Armenian Church.
Your Holiness,
It gives me profound spiritual joy to greet you in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship.
Indeed, long-standing fraternal relations have marked our mutual history. Our bilateral relationship, which included theological discussions, ecumenical visitations, and correspondence, acquired greater emphasis and a broader scope when the center of the Armenian Church was moved from Armenia to Cilicia in the Eleventh Century. The modern ecumenical movement gave a new shape and impetus to our relations by diversifying their context and agenda. The growing engagement of the Catholic Church in the ecumenical movement following the Council of Vatican II, transformed our relationship into collaboration, particularly within the framework of the World Council of Churches and the regional ecumenical councils. I consider the bilateral theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches of pivotal importance in our common ecumenical endeavors.
In the present time, secularism, with its corrupt ideologies and values and politico-economic forces, with their immoral arrogance are increasingly questioning the integrity and relevance of Christian faith and values. I believe that ecumenical collaboration among churches is of crucial urgency. In the face of these emerging realities, which impact the life, missionary outreach, and pastoral ministry of the church, the churches' ecumenical agenda, in my humble view, should be more holistic and responsive. Therefore, the unity of the church, its missionary engagement, and diakonal action need to be perceived and implemented as one comprehensive whole. In fact, a divided church cannot take credibly and efficiently the Gospel to the world. A united voice and common witness in a polarized world is the call of Christ.
The Armenian Church and particularly the Catholicosate of Cilicia is firmly committed to continue, with renewed efforts, theological dialogue and ecumenical partnership with the Catholic Church.
I would like, on this solemn occasion, to refer, with profound gratitude, indeed, to two vital dimensions pertaining to our collaboration.
First, the Vatican has always supported the Armenian Church and people in their continuous advocacy for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and reparation. In the last decade, the conflict of Artsakh and the legitimate rights of its people for self-determination, have also occupied an important place in the international relations of the Holy See.
Second, Lebanon holds a particular place in the life of Armenians throughout the world. After the Armenian Genocide, the survivors embarked on a process of healing, recovery, and community-building in Lebanon, which has always been considered the heart of the world-wide Armenian Diaspora. In addition to its special importance for Christian communities, Lebanon, with its rich diversity and peaceful co-existence, based on mutual understanding and acceptance, displays a unique significance for Christian-Muslim harmonious co-habitation. In fact, continuous solidarity of the Vatican with Lebanon has been a source of hope and spiritual strength.
As Your Holiness knows, the churches of the Middle East are facing tremendous challenges and deep concerns of existential nature and scope. However, despite the immense difficulties impacting the daily life of people, the churches remain firmly attached to their missionary calling. My meetings with your blessed predecessors, Pope Saint John-Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis I have provided us with unique opportunities to renew our fraternal love and re-strengthen our ecumenical fellowship. I am confident that this meeting in the presence of our Archbishops representing the diaspora dioceses, will help us re-affirm our common commitment to move forward on the way to the visible unity of the church.
May God lead and protect Your Holiness in your pontifical ministry.
ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
18 May 2026
Vatican
Your Holiness, dear Brother,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!” (Eph 1:2) With the greeting of the Apostle Paul, I welcome Your Holiness and the distinguished members of your delegation at the start of your visit to the Church of Rome.
Could there be a greater spiritual bond between our Churches than the Apostle Paul of Tarsus, born in Cilicia, the place of your See, and who received the crown of martyrdom here in Rome? To Saint Paul, the Apostle par excellence of communion between the Churches, I entrust your pilgrimage to Rome. But how can I fail to mention also the great saints of the Church who worked for Christian unity? My thoughts turn to Saint Nerses the Gracious, Catholicos of Cilicia, who may be regarded as a pioneer of ecumenism – and whose recent inclusion in the Roman Martyrology is a further example of that “ecumenism of the saints” which already unites our Churches.
Located at the crossroads of different peoples and cultures, the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia has long been characterized by its ecumenical vocation, particularly with regard to the Church of Rome. This special relationship between our Churches, which was particularly intense in the Middle Ages, saw new developments in the 20th century and especially after the Second Vatican Council.
I am mindful that your venerable predecessor, Catholicos Khoren I, was the first primate of an Oriental Orthodox Church to visit Rome after the Council, as early as May 1967. Yourself, Holiness, stand out for your tireless ecumenical zeal, both locally, as one of the founders of the Middle East Council of Churches, and internationally within the World Council of Churches, where you have held prominent positions.
I am deeply grateful for your efforts to foster relations with the Catholic Church and for your closeness to the Church of Rome, which you visited for the first time as Catholicos during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 1997, and which you have honoured with your presence on numerous occasions since then.
I thank you in particular for your personal commitment to promoting theological dialogue between our Churches, which has been taking place since 2003 within the framework of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. This dialogue, which benefits from the valuable contribution of Armenian delegates, has already published three significant documents on the nature and mission of the Church, on communion in the early Church and on the sacraments. I sincerely hope that, despite recent difficulties, this dialogue will continue with renewed vigour, for there can be no restoration of communion between our Churches without unity in faith.
Your presence among us brings to mind the beloved country from which you come and which I had the joy of visiting last December. This land of Lebanon, so dear to my heart, which for so long has shown the whole world that it is possible for people of diverse cultures and religions to live together as one nation, continues to face severe trials. At a time when the unity and integrity of your country are once again under threat, our Churches are called to strengthen the fraternal bonds that unite not only Christians amongst themselves, but also with their brothers and sisters from other communities in their shared homeland. Your Holiness, I assure you of my daily prayers and of the deep concern I feel for the people of Lebanon and for the Churches of the Middle East, to which you will devote a conference during your stay in Rome.
In these days leading up to the Solemnity of Pentecost, as we prepare to relive the mystery the miracle of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the nascent Church, I am grateful to be able to pray after this meeting, together with Your Holiness, to the Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, that He may grant us the gift of unity, bestow upon us enduring peace, and renew the face of the earth.