On September 15 and 16, during his official visit to the Vatican, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, met with several cardinals responsible for different Vatican institutions, the Mother See’s press office reported.
The Catholicos met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Their discussion addressed ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world, as well as developments in the South Caucasus region. Both sides highlighted the importance of efforts by the international community, including sister Churches, to restore stable and lasting peace. His Holiness also raised issues related to the protection of the rights of displaced Armenians of Artsakh, the preservation of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage, and the release of Armenian prisoners of war and political leaders held in Azerbaijan.
Catholicos Karekin II also visited the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Eastern Catholic Churches, where he met with its prefect, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.
He further held meetings with Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Cardinal José Tolentino, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education; and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as on the pressing concerns of the Armenian people, challenges facing the Christian world, and the imperative of safeguarding Christian values and heritage.
A day earlier, the Catholicos had also met with the Pope.