A Vatican statement said: "Pope Francis and Sargsyan also touched upon issues related to the political context of the region and expressed hope for the solution of situations of conflict".
Pope Francis on Thursday (5 April) met in the Vatican with religious and political leaders of the Republic of Armenia led by President Serzh Sargsyan, and the religious leaders, the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
Following the meetings, the Pope and the Armenian delegation participated in an inauguration ceremony and blessing of a statue of Saint Gregory of Narek in the Vatican gardens. Pope Francis and Armenian Patriarchs blessed a bronze statue of St Gregory of Narek
A Holy See Press Office communiqué said that during the cordial discussions that took place between the Pope and the President, keen satisfaction was expressed for the good relations that exist between the Holy See and Armenia.
It also noted that the inauguration of the statute of Saint Gregory of Narek provided an opportunity to build upon these relations and to strengthen those that exist between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church.
The Vatican statement said that "Pope Francis and Sargsyan also touched upon issues related to the political context of the region and expressed hope for the solution of situations of conflict. They also turned their attention to other current international issues including the situation of Christians and religious minorities in conflict areas."
President Sargsyan later had a seperate meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and with the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
source: commonspace.eu with Vatican Radio
photo: Pope Francis with the Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan at their meeting in the Vatican on 5 April 2018 (picture courtesy of Vatican Radio)
