Pope Leo XIV has sent a letter of gratitude to Sahak II Mashalian, Armenian Apostolic Patriarch of Constantinople, following the Pope’s visit to Turkey from November 27 to 30, 2025, during which he visited the Holy Mother of God (Surp Asdvadzadzin) Patriarchal Armenian Apostolic Church in Istanbul on the morning of Sunday, November 30, and met with Patriarch Sahak II.
In his letter, Pope Leo XIV thanked Patriarch Sahak II for the warm welcome at the Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church and for the opportunity to reflect on ecumenical relations and the contributions made in this regard by the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The Pope emphasized that such moments serve to strengthen and deepen the fraternal bonds between the two Churches and said he looks forward to future encounters on the path of restoring full communion.
“With a grateful heart, I wish to thank you once again for your warm welcome at the Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church and the opportunity to reflect on ecumenical relations and the contributions made in this regard by the Armenian Apostolic Church,” the Pope said.
“Such moments only serve to strengthen and deepen the fraternal bonds between our two Churches. Please know that I look forward to future encounters on the path of restoring full communion.
“Assuring you of a remembrance in my prayers, I humbly ask for a remembrance in yours. May the Theotokos intercede for us both before the throne of her Son,” reads the letter.
The letter was dated December 10, 2025, and signed at the Vatican.
