At the direction of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, the Prelates of the Western and Eastern Prelacies of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian and H.E. Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, represented the Catholicosate of Holy See of Cilicia at the enthronement of Pope Leo XIV, held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Vatican.
On the following morning, Monday, May 19, at 9:00 a.m., the Pope received delegates from the participating churches in the Vatican’s reception hall. Among them were the Prelates of the Western and Eastern Armenian Prelacies. In his remarks to the representatives of the sister churches, the Pope reflected on the idea of “universal brotherhood,” referencing the efforts of his predecessors, especially Saint John XXIII, as well as Pope Francis’s commitment to inter-church collaboration and interfaith dialogue, which he said are built on personal relationships and shared human encounters. The Pope emphasized that true Christian unity is only possible when we are “united in Jesus Christ,” adding that “the more faithful and obedient we are to Him, the more united we will be with one another.” For this reason, the Pope called on all Christians to pray and collaborate in pursuit of the goal of unity.
Following the ceremony, the Prelates extended the fraternal blessings and well wishes of His Holiness Aram I to the newly elected Pope.
All hierarchical sees of the Armenian Church were represented by their respective delegations. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was represented by His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak Mashalian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, and H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem was represented by H.E. Bishop Koryun Baghdasarian, Dean of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and Very Rev. Fr. Aghan Gogchyan.
