Pope Leo XIV welcomed His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church - See of Cilicia, during the Wednesday General Audience on May 20th, 2026. The pontiff used the occasion to call for prayers for peace in the Middle East, which he described as "once again torn apart by violence and war." Pope Leo XIV stated the visit represented "an important occasion to strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist between us, as we draw closer to full communion between our Churches," according to Vatican Media. He emphasized his "constant personal commitment to ecumenism." "I invite all those present to pray fervently to the Lord that your visit and meetings may constitute a further step on the path towards full unity," Pope Leo XIV said.
Ecumenical Meeting and Prayers
Catholicos Aram I joined Pope Leo XIV on the stage in St. Peter's Square during the General Audience. The two Church leaders had previously met and prayed together on Monday, May 18, inside the Vatican Apostolic Palace. Pope Leo expressed his joy at welcoming Catholicos Aram I and his delegation, remarking, "I invite all those present to pray fervently to the Lord that your visit and meetings may constitute a further step on the path towards full unity."
Pope Leo XIV also thanked Catholicos Aram I for his "constant personal commitment to ecumenism," particularly through the theological dialogue occurring between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. He described the visit as "an important occasion to strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist between us, as we draw closer to full communion between our Churches." The Pope also called for prayers for the Middle East, a region he noted was "once again torn apart by violence and war." Pope Leo XIV concluded, "Together, let us invoke the intercession of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Saint Gregory of Nareg, Saint Nerses the Gracious and, above all, the Virgin Mother of God, that they may enlighten our path towards the fullness of that unity we all desire."
Context of the Catholicosate
The Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, led by His Holiness Aram I, has been headquartered in Antelias, Lebanon, since 1930. The jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia extends across a broad geographic area. This includes Christian communities in Lebanon, Syria, and Cyprus. Its reach also encompasses Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider Gulf region. Further, the Catholicosate oversees Armenian faithful in Iran and Greece. The ecclesiastical body also has a presence in the Americas, ministering to Armenian communities there.
Call for Peace and Unity
Pope Leo XIV urged attendees to pray for peace in Lebanon and the wider Middle East, a region he described as "once again torn apart by violence and war." The pontiff prayed that the Holy Spirit would bless the Armenian Catholicos' pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. During their meeting on Monday, Pope Leo assured Catholicos Aram I of his daily prayers and concern for the people of Lebanon and the Churches of the Middle East.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating it was "an important occasion to strengthen the bonds of unity that already exist between us, as we draw closer to full communion between our Churches." He also extended an invitation for collective prayer, saying, "I invite all those present to pray fervently to the Lord that your visit and meetings may constitute a further step on the path towards full unity." The Pope concluded by stating, "Together, let us invoke the intercession of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Saint Gregory of Nareg, Saint Nerses the Gracious and, above all, the Virgin Mother of God, that they may enlighten our path towards the fullness of that unity we all desire."
