From May 17–21, 2026, a significant pan-Christian event was added to the modern history of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia when His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, accompanied by the Prelates of the Catholicosate, paid a congratulatory visit to the Vatican, the center of the Roman Catholic Church, and met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
At the Vatican, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his delegation were warmly and honorably received by the Pope. Throughout the visit, a number of historic and meaningful moments were experienced as His Holiness Catholicos Aram I represented the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, a distinguished See within the Christian world, serving as a respected and prominent representative of the universal Christian community. Among the members of the delegation accompanying His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States.
The program of the congratulatory visit to Pope Leo XIV was meticulously organized and included official addresses by the spiritual leaders of the Armenian and Roman Catholic Churches. Discussions focused on interchurch relations, pan-Christian concerns, issues of common interest to humanity, and matters of pan-Armenian significance. The visit also provided an opportunity for constructive reflection on strengthening cooperation among Christian churches.
During their stay, the Armenian delegation also visited various departments and sites within the Vatican gaining greater insight into the administrative, spiritual, and cultural life of the Vatican.
