His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, traveled to Rome earlier this week to attend the installation Mass for Pope Francis on Tuesday, March 19-2013. Religious leaders, heads of state, and pilgrims from across the globe gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness the historic event.
Later, His Holiness had an opportunity to personally congratulate the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and to express warm greetings on behalf of the Armenian faithful.
The Catholicos was accompanied by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, and Very Rev. Fr. Ananya Tsatooryan. Also taking part in the day’s proceedings was Archbishop Aram Ateshian, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.
