Pope Leo XIV stresses Church unity and liturgy’s central role in Christian life during meeting with Armenian Catholicos and catechesis.
Newsroom (20/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) In a message marked by both ecclesial reflection and geopolitical concern, Pope Leo XIV warmly welcomed His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, during a fraternal visit to Rome. The encounter underscored the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to ecumenism, presenting what the Pope described as “an important opportunity to strengthen the bonds of unity” between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Addressing a distinguished accompanying delegation, the Pope framed the meeting as part of a larger movement toward “full communion” between Christian traditions. His remarks came as Christians worldwide prepare for Pentecost, a moment he invoked as a fitting spiritual backdrop to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for deeper unity.
The Pontiff also directed attention beyond ecclesiastical dialogue to broader humanitarian concerns. He called for prayers for peace in Lebanon and across the Middle East, regions he described as “once again torn apart by violence and war.” This dual emphasis highlighted the Church’s intertwined spiritual and social mission in a fractured global context.
In a personal gesture, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to Catholicos Aram I for his longstanding dedication to ecumenical dialogue, particularly within international theological discussions between the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox traditions. The Pope concluded by invoking revered saints of the Armenian and universal Church, including Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the Virgin Mary, as intercessors for unity.
Revisiting Vatican II: The Heart of the Liturgy
Later, during his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV turned to theological reflection, inaugurating a new catechetical series centered on the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. The document, one of the first issued by the Council, remains foundational to modern Catholic understanding of worship.
Rather than merely a call for ritual reform, the Pope emphasized that the Council Fathers sought to deepen the Church’s awareness of its essential relationship with Christ. “The liturgy touches the very heart of this mystery,” he explained, describing it as the space where the Church “receives her very life from Christ.”
Central to his catechesis was the concept of the “Christian Mystery,” identified as the Paschal event—Christ’s passion, death, resurrection, and glorification. According to the Pope, this mystery is not an abstract theological idea but a living reality made present in every liturgical celebration. Each time the faithful gather, they are “immersed in this Mystery,” participating in what the Constitution calls “the work of our redemption.”
Christ at the Center of Worship
The Pope outlined a theology of presence rooted in Sacrosanctum Concilium, noting that Christ is active in multiple dimensions of the liturgy: in the proclaimed Word, the sacraments, the ordained ministers, the gathered assembly, and most profoundly in the Eucharist.
This understanding, he explained, ties directly to the Church’s identity. Borrowing from Saint Augustine, he observed that in receiving the Eucharist, the Church “becomes what she receives”—the Body of Christ itself. Thus, the liturgy is not merely an act of worship but a transformative encounter that shapes the community into “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
The Pope further highlighted the principle lex orandi, lex credendi—“the law of prayer is the law of belief”—to illustrate how liturgical practice both expresses and forms the Church’s faith. Every element, from spoken prayers to gestures and silence, contributes to what he called a “true epiphany of the Church in prayer.”
The Summit and Source of Christian Life
A central theme of the catechesis was the liturgy’s unique role within the life of the Church. Quoting Sacrosanctum Concilium, Pope Leo XIV described it as both the “summit” toward which all Church activity is directed and the “font” from which its power flows.
While acknowledging that the Church’s mission extends beyond liturgical celebration—encompassing preaching, charity, and social engagement—he insisted that all such activities converge in and are nourished by the liturgy. Participation in worship, he explained, is both “internal” and “external,” requiring not only ritual involvement but also a transformation of daily life.
This transformation, the Pope noted, is ethical as well as spiritual. The faithful are called to embody in their daily actions what they celebrate in worship, becoming “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” In this way, the liturgy extends beyond the church walls, shaping the moral and communal fabric of Christian life.
An Open Invitation to the World
Concluding his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV described the liturgy as inherently inclusive, forming “an open community, welcoming to all.” Guided by the Holy Spirit, it introduces believers into the life of Christ and stands as a sign of unity for the entire human race.
Echoing the Book of Revelation, he reminded the faithful that “everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb,” reinforcing the universal call embedded within the Church’s worship.
The Pope encouraged believers to allow themselves to be “shaped inwardly” by the liturgy’s symbols and rites, pointing to future catecheses that will explore these dimensions in greater depth.
A Message of Renewal and Hope
The day’s twin messages—ecumenical outreach and liturgical renewal—converged on a single theme: unity rooted in Christ. Whether through dialogue with other Christian traditions or participation in the Eucharist, Pope Leo XIV presented a vision of the Church as both a spiritual and communal reality, called to embody reconciliation in a divided world.
Greeting pilgrims from across the globe, he concluded with a blessing of “joy and peace of the risen Jesus,” a fitting summary of a message at once ancient in its roots and urgent in its relevance.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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