Pope Leo XIV to Catholicos Aram I: 'I pray daily for the people of Lebanon'
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church – See of Cilicia, visited Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican on Monday.
The private meeting marking the first official visit of the Catholicos to Pope Leo was followed by a moment of prayer in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
The jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia covers Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region, Iran, Greece and the Americas. Since 1930, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia has been headquartered in Antelias, Lebanon.
During this morning's meeting in the Vatican, Pope Leo addressed the Catholicos about the importance of the faith, the shared bonds among Christians, and the need for followers of Christ to witness unity together.
Unity in faith required for restoration of communion
The Holy Father expressed to the Catholicos of Cilicia his gratitude for his efforts to foster relations with the Catholic Church and for his closeness to the Church of Rome.
The Pope thanked Catholicos Aram I for his personal commitment to promoting theological dialogue between their Churches, which he recalled 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.
Pope Leo said he sincerely hopes "that, despite recent difficulties, this dialogue will continue with renewed vigour," noting, "for there can be no restoration of communion between our Churches without unity in faith."
Pope Leo's 'deep concern' for the people of Lebanon and for the Churches of the Middle East
The Pope said the Catholicos' presence brought to mind "beloved" Lebanon, which he recalled with fondness visiting last December.
Pope Leo observed that for so long, the country "has shown the whole world that it is possible for people of diverse cultures and religions to live together as one nation," but lamented that it continues to face severe trials.
"At a time when the unity and integrity of your country are once again under threat," Pope Leo said, "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," the Holy Father continued, "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."
Finally, Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude that he and the Catholicos, ahead of the Solemnity of Pentecost, would be able to pray together for unity, enduring peace, and to renew the face of the earth.
During Catholicos Aram I's time in Rome, he will also visit the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and other Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and, on Tuesday, the Catholicos will give a public lecture on the challenges faced by the Churches in the Middle East at the Pontifical Oriental Institute.
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