| On the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at the Vatican, commencing an official four-day visit. Immediately following his arrival, His Holiness held meetings with Vatican officials to discuss the forthcoming program of events.On Monday, May 18, His Holiness will meet with Pope Leo XIV—marking their first official meeting. Their private meeting will be followed by a moment of prayer in the Chapel of Urban VIII of the Apostolic Palace.Throughout the visit, His Holiness Aram I will also call on the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and other offices of the Roman Curia. On May 19, he will deliver a public lecture at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, addressing the challenges faced by Middle Eastern churches.Although this visit is the first official encounter between Catholicos Aram I and Pope Leo XIV, the two previously met during the Pope’s apostolic journey to Lebanon. In addition to official meetings, His Holiness and his delegation will be guests at the Pontifical Armenian College joined by His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI of the Armenian Catholic Church.This visit continues a longstanding tradition of engagement between His Holiness Aram I and the Vatican. Previous meetings with Popes include Saint John Paul II in 1997 (signing a joint declaration) and during the Jubilee Year of 2000; an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in November 2008; and several meetings with Pope Francis (2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2024).These visits reaffirm the enduring friendship and growing unity between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. |
| The Catholicos’s delegation consists of: – H.E. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, – H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, – H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, – H.E. Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, – H.E. Archbishop Papken Tcharian, – H.E. Archbishop Shahe Panossian, – H.E. Archbishop Magar Ashkarian, – H.E. Archbishop Mesrob Sarkissian, – H.E. Bishop Sahag Yemishian, – H.E. Bishop Dajad Ashekian, – V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, – V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian. |
