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.

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