Aram I, Pope`s rep discuss Artsakh cultural heritage, Armenian  prisoners

ArmInfo.  On September 18, during a summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia met with Cardinal George Jacob Kuwakat, personal representative of Pope Leo XV and president of the Vatican's Office for Interreligious Relations.

During the meeting, the ongoing close cooperation between the  Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Vatican was  discussed. The possibility of expanding interreligious ties beyond  those between churches was also emphasized. His Holiness also touched  upon the developing relations between the Vatican and Azerbaijan and,  in this context, Azerbaijan's approaches and steps toward the  Armenian people of Artsakh and their cultural and spiritual heritage.  In this regard, Aram I recalled the conference held several months  ago at the Gregorian University in Rome, during which, unfortunately,  information regarding the presence of Armenians in Artsakh was  presented that was far removed from the historical reality.

Cardinal Kuvakat provided His Holiness with the necessary information  on the aforementioned issues, particularly regarding  Vatican-Azerbaijan relations, providing clear clarifications on  several points.

His Holiness then presented two proposals to the Vatican  representative. "We would be very pleased if the Vatican continues to  remind Azerbaijan and the international community of the vital  importance of preserving Armenian churches and historical and  cultural monuments in accordance with international law.  We will do  everything in our power to secure the speedy release of Artsakh's  political and government figures detained by Azerbaijani  authorities," stated Aram I.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness the Patriarch expressed  satisfaction that Pope Levon XIV will soon visit Lebanon, and during  his visit, he will naturally have the opportunity to discuss the  aforementioned issues with him.