New Georgian patriarch meets ambassadors in Tbilisi

Georgia’s newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III met with ambassadors from five countries in Tbilisi on June 11, News Georgia reported, citing the Georgian Patriarchate.

Envoys from Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, Armenia and Turkey visited the patriarchal residence, offering condolences following the death of former Patriarch Ilia II and extending congratulations on Shio III’s election.

Patriarchate spokesman Andria Jagmaidze said the talks were held in a “warm and friendly atmosphere” and touched on bilateral relations, the Georgian diaspora, and broader social issues including the preservation of traditional family values, youth education, and the impact of global crises and wars.

Ambassadors attending included Walid Abu Haya of Israel, Gareth Ward of the United Kingdom, Massimiliano D’Antuono of Italy, Ashot Smbatyan of Armenia, and Mustafa Türker Ari of Turkey.

The meetings followed Shio III’s earlier talks with a U.S. State Department delegation on May 27, where discussions centered on Georgian-American relations, shared Christian values, and prospects for expanded cooperation.

Shio III was elected on May 11 and enthroned the following day. His predecessor, Ilia II, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for nearly half a century and was widely regarded as one of Georgia’s most influential figures, died in March at age 93.