HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM GREETS THE ELECTION OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS I

Antelias: In a letter addressed to His Holiness Pope Francis I, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I congratulated the election of the Pope "with profound spiritual joy and in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship", expressing hope that "at these challenging times, facing the Roman Catholic Church, his election will bring a new hope towards the Church's mission and witness". Aram I also hopes that "the simplicity of His Holiness' life", his "particular emphasis on the 'church of poor', and firm commitment to the pastoral outreach of the church will certainly generate a new vitality for the Catholic Church's evangelistic engage­ment".

Referring to the ecumenical involvement of the Catholic Church, Aram I expects that it will "acquire even broader articulation on global, regional and local levels", and the ecumenical col­laboration, which is deeply rooted in the history, between the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Church of Rome will continue "with renewed impetus".
Armenian Orthodox Church (The Holy See of Cilicia)