Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On July 12, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamyan, representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in Vatican; Mr. Karen Nazaryan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Vatican and José Avelino Bettencourt, Apostolic nuncio of the Holy See.

Welcoming the Secretary of State of the Holy See to the Armenian spiritual center, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the latter's visit to the region and expressed his gratitude for the efforts being made to overcome the challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh.

At the meeting, His Holiness, referring to the blockade of Artsakh and the created humanitarian disaster, the security problems facing Armenia, emphasized the practical intervention of the international community to stop Azerbaijan's expansionist ambitions, offensive actions and protect the right of Artsakh Armenians to self-determination.

In turn, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin conveyed the fraternal greetings of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Armenian Patriarch, stressing that the opening of the diplomatic permanent representation of the Holy See in Yerevan will contribute to closer interaction between the Vatican and the Mother See.

Referring to his visit to the region, the Secretary of State noted that it has a humanitarian nature and aims to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Cardinal Pietro Parolin noted that the process of achieving final peace is complicated because there are many obstacles and the expected results in this regard have not yet been recorded.

During the conversation, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his satisfaction for the support shown by the Holy See and the Roman Pontiff to Armenia and the Armenian people during this difficult period, and also conveyed his fraternal greetings and best wishes to Pope Francis.