Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with His Holiness Pope Francis. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Holy Father for the efforts of the Roman Catholic Church aimed at alleviating the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 and providing assistance to vulnerable groups in many regions of the world. Nikol Pashinyan presented the Armenian government’s response to the pandemic. Both sides stressed the importance of preserving peace, preventing arms race and promoting a culture of peace among the peoples of the world. In this context, Prime Minister Pashinyan highly appreciated the call for an immediate global ceasefire made by Pope Francis last month and reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The Prime Minister also thanked His Holiness for standing by the Armenian people and historical justice.

His Holiness congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on the second year of his tenure as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. He noted with great satisfaction the fraternal relations and steadfast ties between the Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches. Pope Francis reaffirmed his position on the Armenian Genocide.

The interlocutors highly valued the role of the Armenian Catholic community in the life of the Armenian people. Both sides voiced their readiness to further the bilateral interstate relations.