Catholicos Karekin II offers condolences over death of Pope Franics

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, conveyed a message of condolence on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

“The late Pope Francis of blessed memory was a humble, courageous, and kind shepherd who faithfully walked in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. He undertook the lofty and responsible papal mission during difficult times and bore witness to the Gospel—consistently standing for justice and peace, offering special attention and care to those in need, and contributing significantly to the strengthening of interchurch relations," he said.

“With particular consolation, we recall the Holy Father’s unwavering prayers for a world wounded by war and injustice, and especially for our people, who have borne the heavy burdens of the Artsakh war," reads the message.

Karekin II further emphasized that the Armenian people will forever hold in grateful memory the Holy Mass celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the proclamation of St. Gregory of Narek as Doctor of the Universal Church, and the blessed visit of Pope Francis to Armenia.