In Vatican, Pope discusses with Pashinyan situation of Catholics in Armenia
Pope Leo and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Photo: Vatican Media
In the Vatican on October 20, 2025, Pope Leo III received the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan – a meeting that took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions around the Armenian Apostolic Church and its head, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians.
According to the website vaticannews, the pontiff held an audience for the Armenian Prime Minister, after which negotiations took place at the Secretariat of State, where Pashinyan met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
The parties noted the good relations between Armenia and the Vatican, discussed the situation of Catholics in the republic, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
As reported, the visit of the Armenian Prime Minister coincided with an acute internal crisis in the spiritual life of the country. Two days after the meeting with the Pope – on October 22 – Pashinyan declared in parliament that Catholicos Karekin II was defrocked for a breach of celibacy.
Read also
In France, disco with DJ booth on altar organized in RCC church
In France, a DJ performance was held at the altar in a Catholic church, presented as a charitable event with donations.
RCC diocese in California closing 13 parishes due to declining attendance
The Diocese of Oakland is closing 13 parishes due to declining attendance, priest shortage, and financial crisis amid lawsuits.
Athens hosts conference on threat of ecumenism to the Church
Monk Paisios Kareotis, Hieromonk Luke of Grigoriou and four theologians presented reports on the dialogue with the anti-Chalcedonians and the Council of Crete.
Israel acknowledges shelling of Greek Catholic monastery in Lebanon
The Israeli army acknowledged damage to a Greek Catholic order monastery in Yaroun, stating that the strike was not intentional.
UOC comments on court annulment of DESS “expert review”
The Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has rebutted DESS’s claim that the court did not overturn the conclusion of the religious expert review of the UOC Statute.
UOC hierarch holds memorial service for victims of Kulykove Pole tragedy
Memorial services were held at the Holy Dormition Monastery in Odesa for all those who died as a result of the tragic events of May 2, 2014.