In the morning of Thursday 5 April 2018, the President of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, was received in audience by the Holy Father Francis. He subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, H.E. Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher.

During the cordial discussions, keen satisfaction was expressed for the good relations existing between the Holy See and Armenia. It was shown that the inauguration in the Vatican Gardens of the statute of Saint Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, is an opportunity to promote further these relations, as well as those between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church.

Reference was then made to the regional political context, with hope for the solution of situations of conflict, and other current international issues were touched upon, as well as the condition of Christians and religious minorities, especially in theatres of war.