Aram I, Vatican Secretary of State Discuss Artsakh Rights, Release of Prisoner

Catholicos Aram I presents a book about Artsakh church to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Ahead of his meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, Catholicos Aram I met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, with whom issues pertaining to the rights of Artsakh Armenians and the release of Armenian prisoners being held in Baku were discussed.

During the conversation, Aram I stated that the return of Artsakh Armenians, the restoration of their rights, the protection of Armenian churches and historical monuments, and the immediate release of the Artsakh leaders currently imprisoned in Baku remain imperative priorities for the Armenian Church and people. In this context, Aram I called for the Vatican’s continued support, the Catholicosate press office reported.

Cardinal Parolin, who is the second highest ranking official in the Vatican, briefed the Catholicos about the Vatican’s initiatives related to Artsakh in general and particularly regarding efforts toward the release of prisoners.

The Catholicos also addressed the situation in Lebanon and commended the consistent efforts of the Lebanese government under the leadership of the President and the Prime Minister.

Referring to southern Lebanon, Aram I stressed that Israel must withdraw its military forces from the region, allowing the Lebanese Army to assume full responsibility for the country’s security and enabling the Lebanese state to reassert its sovereignty throughout all Lebanese territories. Aram I also underscored the urgent need to strengthen internal unity among Lebanon’s various communities and warmly welcomed the Vatican’s continued support for Lebanon.

The Catholicos then turned to the challenges facing Christian communities across the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent necessity of halting Christian emigration from the region and highlighting the important role of the Churches in this regard.

For his part, Cardinal Parolin addressed the difficulties confronting Lebanon and shared information regarding the Vatican’s ongoing diplomatic efforts with Israel and the United States.

Cardinal Parolin also welcomed a proposal made by Aram I to organize special consultative meetings at the Vatican for Christian spiritual leaders in Lebanon, as well as for Christian leaders throughout the Middle East.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Aram I presented Cardinal Parolin with a commemorative gift depicting the Virgin Mary, along with a two-volume publication featuring Armenian churches in Karabakh. Cardinal Parolin, in turn, offered a commemorative gift to Aram I.

Following the hour-long meeting, Aram I also had the opportunity to hold a private conversation with Cardinal Parolin concerning several sensitive matters.

—