Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in the Middle East on Wednesday as he welcomed Catholicos Aram I during the weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father greeted the Armenian Church leader publicly just days after the two met privately at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on May 18. Pope Leo 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 welcomed Catholicos Aram I and his delegation before pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square and prayed that the Holy Spirit would bless their pilgrimage to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul.
“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 said, according to Vatican News.
The Holy Father also turned the attention of the faithful toward the suffering unfolding across the Middle East, urging Catholics to continue praying for peace.
Pope Leo said Lebanon and the wider region are “once again torn apart by violence and war,” according to Vatican News. His remarks come as Christians throughout the Middle East continue to face instability, displacement, and growing uncertainty amid ongoing regional conflicts.
The Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate of Cilicia serves faithful across Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Greece, and the Americas. Since 1930, its headquarters have been located in Antelias, Lebanon.
During their earlier meeting at the Vatican, Pope Leo reportedly assured Catholicos Aram I of his “daily prayers” for the people of Lebanon and the Churches throughout the Middle East, according to Vatican News.
The Pope also praised the Armenian leader for his long-standing commitment to Christian unity and ecumenical dialogue, particularly through ongoing theological discussions between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
“Together,” Pope Leo concluded, “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.”
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