Pope Leo XIV to Catholicos Aram I: 'I pray daily for the people of Lebanon'

Vatican, May 19, 2026: His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church – See of Cilicia, met the Holy Father in the Vatican on Monday in what marked the first official visit of the Catholicos to Pope Leo. In his address, Pope Leo spoke of his daily prayers for the people of Lebanon and his “deep concern” for them and the Churches of the Middle East.

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church – See of Cilicia, visited Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday.

The private audience, which marked the Catholicos’ first official meeting with Pope Leo, was followed by a time of prayer in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

The Catholicosate of Cilicia exercises jurisdiction over Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region, Iran, Greece and the Americas. Since 1930, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia has been based in Antelias, Lebanon.

During the meeting at the Vatican on Monday morning, Pope Leo spoke to the Catholicos about the significance of faith, the common bonds shared among Christians, and the importance of followers of Christ bearing witness to unity together.

Unity in faith required for restoration of communion

The Holy Father thanked the Catholicos of Cilicia for his efforts to strengthen relations with the Catholic Church and for his closeness to the Church of Rome.

Pope Leo also expressed gratitude to Catholicos Aram I for his personal dedication to advancing theological dialogue between their Churches, recalling that the dialogue has continued since 2003 through 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’ visit reminded him of “beloved” Lebanon, which he remembered fondly from his visit there last December.

Pope Leo noted that for many years the country “has shown the whole world that it is possible for people of diverse cultures and religions to live together as one nation,” while lamenting that it continues to endure serious challenges.

“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 gratitude that he and the Catholicos would be able to pray together ahead of the Solemnity of Pentecost for unity, lasting peace, and the renewal of the face of the earth.

During his visit to Rome, Catholicos Aram I will also meet officials of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and other Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. On Tuesday, the Catholicos is also scheduled to deliver a public lecture at the Pontifical Oriental Institute on the challenges confronting the Churches in the Middle East.

Courtesy: Vatican News