The Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the churches that separated from Rome earliest, although in recent decades relations have improved greatly.
The dialogue between the pope and the leader of this church focused on the need to support Christian communities in the Middle East.
SAHAK II MASHALIAN
We pray that the Lord may use the immense moral voice and influence of the Papacy, through Your Holiness, for the safety of these vulnerable Christian communities.
The other major issue they addressed was the unity of the Church.
POPE LEO
We must also take inspiration from the experience of the early Church in order to restore full communion, a communion which does not imply absorption or domination, but rather an exchange of the gifts received by our Churches from the Holy Spirit.
The Armenian Apostolic Church was the one that suffered the greatest persecution at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Pope Leo, unlike his predecessor, did not touch on this controversial issue at any point — an issue that greatly angers the Turkish government even today. Although it remains to be seen what he might request in return: for example, guaranteeing greater protection for minorities just like the Armenians.
JRB
Trans. CRT
