The Pope remembered the martyrs of the Armenian Church and the Armenian genocide, without explicitly mentioning it, and denounced the persecution of Christians in modern times.

Benedict XVI
That testimony culminated in the twentieth century, which proved a time of unspeakable suffering for your people.  Most recently we have all been saddened by the escalation of persecution and violence against Christians in parts of the Middle East and elsewhere.

The Catholicos is based in Lebanon. That is why, the Pope said, he prays every day for peace in this country and throughout the Middle East. Benedict XVI said there will only be peace in the region when each country is free to decide its own destiny and when every ethnic and religious group accepts and respects the others.

Aram I emphasized that the churches must be means for peace and to achieve that they must recognize "all" genocides, even the Armenian.

The Catholicos recalled his meeting with John Paul II, adding that this visit represents a new step for ecumenical dialogue.

Aram I
Catholicos
Our meeting is an opportunity to pray and reflect together, and to renew our commitment and efforts for Christian unity.

Armenian church members from all over the world join with Catholicos in making pilgrimages to Rome.