Under the auspices and blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Cilicia Library organized the presentation of the HASG Armenological Yearbook, Volumes 13 and 14. The event took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, in the hall of the “Cilicia” Museum.

The ceremony commenced with V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian welcoming the attendees and outlining the yearbook’s significant history and mission. He highlighted its founding in 1948 by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I Hovsepiants, noting that despite historical interruptions, the publication continues its vital work today through the direct encouragement and support of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Fr. Hovagim extended profound gratitude to the editor of the presented volumes, His Eminence Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, and to all the contributors for their dedicated work.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV convenes his first Consistory of Cardinals, which will take place on January 7-8 and will be marked by Prayer, support, and counsel for the Pope.

Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office released details of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's first Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which will be held in the Vatican on January 7-8, 2026.

“The meeting will unfold over two days and will be marked by moments of communion and fraternity, as well as times dedicated to reflection, sharing, and Prayer,” read the statement released on Saturday.

As the Cardinals pray and reflect together with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the encounter will seek to foster discernment and offer “support and counsel to the Holy Father in the exercise of his lofty and weighty responsibility in the governance of the universal Church.”

On Friday, December 19, 2025, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was received at the Presidential Palace by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon.

The discussions focused on the affairs of the Armenian Orthodox Community in Lebanon and the broader Ecclesiastical-diplomatic mission of the Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness briefed the President on his recent high-level consultations with foreign state officials, underscoring matters pertinent to Lebanon and regional stability. He expressed appreciation for the improved security climate and the gradual economic progress achieved under the President’s administration, while issuing a firm condemnation of the ongoing [Israeli] military aggressions.

On December 21, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), attended a Christmas Recital by St. Ephrem Patriarchal Choir, at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma – Damascus.

The Recital was entitled: “Love, Live, Laugh…”, and included Christmas chants from different languages and traditions.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Andrawos Bahhi, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, as well as their Excellencies Armenian Orthodox Archbishop of Damascus Msgr. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Damascus Msgr. George Assadourian, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus Rev. Archimandrite Antoun Mosleh, Episcopal Vicar for the Chaldean Church in Damascus Fr. Farid Boutros, attended the recital.

In a letter sent on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the International Union of Superiors General, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV urges women religious to be “pilgrims and missionary disciples of hope,” to heal the wounds of those they encounter.

Recalling “the vision of Saint Paul VI,” who promoted the renewal of consecrated life in the modern world in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expresses his gratitude to all members of the International Union of the Superiors General (UISG) for carrying out their mission “with fidelity and courage”.

In a letter addressed to Sister Oonah O’Shea, UISG President, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the union’s foundation, which took place on 8 December 1965, the Pope says,“I join you in gratitude for the many ways in which the UISG has carried forward this mission.”

In his Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV addresses the escalation of war, rearmament and fear in international relations, and reiterates the Church’s opposition to deterrence based on military force. He calls for disarmament, dialogue and the conversion of hearts as necessary conditions for a lasting and unarmed peace.

As the Church observes the World Day of Peace on 1 January, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on a world marked by fear, militarization and the threat of war. In his first Message for this observance, he addresses the seriousness of the moment while proposing a vision of peace that is “unarmed and disarming,” resisting violence not through force but through moral clarity, dialogue and the conversion of hearts.

In his Catechesis at the weekly General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV explains that our hearts can only find true rest in God and not in the many daily “activities that do not always leave us satisfied.”

During his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflected on the universal feeling that we all have to be constantly on-the-go, which “drives us to do, to act.”

He highlighted how speed is often required to reach the ideal goals in almost any field. But, rather than focus on worldly demands, he turned the focus to Jesus’ Resurrection and how this can affect our daily life.

When all of us participate in Christ's victory over death, the question is: Will we find rest? The Pope explained that our faith tells us that we will. Yet, it will not be an inactive rest. Rather, we will live in peace and joy. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV asked: “So, should we just wait, or can this change us right now?”.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV joins children at a school Christmas concert in Castel Gandolfo, and invites those present to communicate to all the gift of love at Christmas.

A special visit marked the eleventh edition of the Christmas concert InCanto, performed by the pupils of the Pontifical Paul VI School of Castel Gandolfo. Among those attending this afternoon was His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. After leaving the nearby Villa Barberini, where he regularly stays on Tuesdays, the Pope visited the school and then joined the pupils and their families in the gymnasium for the musical performance.

The concert was an occasion for the children to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to underline that true richness is not measured by what one receives, but by the peace one can generate within oneself and in relationship with others.

As part of his program in Kerala in India, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), made a private visit and Spiritual Retreat in Mor Ignatius Elias III Dayro Monastery in Manjinikkara - Kerala.

The Vatican lights up the Christmas tree and Nativity Scene in St. Peter’s Square in a ceremony with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, and Italian civil and Religious representatives of the Dioceses that donated the Christmas elements.

The Vatican’s Christmas tree and Nativity Scene were lit up and officially inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square on Monday, 15 December, by Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State.

“Today, in this square that embraces the world, the Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are not merely Christmas decorations, but signs of communion, calls to peace and to the care of creation, and invitations to universal fraternity, which St. Francis placed above all else and which became the hallmark of his charism,” she said, recalling that next year will mark the 800th anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi, who began the tradition of Nativity Scenes in 1223.

The Anglican-Lutheran Annual Simulcast Lessons and Carols Service was held, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Head of the Church for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 13 December 2025, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Episcopal Cathedral in Philadelphia.

After celebrating Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV delivers his Angelus address for the third Sunday of Advent, saying that Christian joy endures "when life seems to lose its meaning and everything appears darker.”

“A Prophet, even in chains, retains the ability to use his voice in the pursuit of truth and justice."

Evoking John the Baptist, who was imprisoned for his preaching, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV opened his Sunday Angelus Reflection with this powerful image. Even from behind bars, he continued to hope and to question. John thus became a sign that the Word of God cannot be silenced, even when prophets are deprived of freedom.

During his Homily on the Sunday of the Jubilee of Prisoners, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV challenges both inmates and those responsible for the prisons to hold on to hope and he reminds everyone “that no human being is defined only by his or her actions and that justice is always a process of reparation and reconciliation.”

On the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the word “Gaudete”. He explained the “joy” of this Sunday reminds us of "the bright dimension of waiting: the trust that something beautiful, something joyful, will happen.”

Speaking to about 1,000 people taking part in the “Living Nativity” tradition at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV challenges them to spread the message that we are never alone and continue to be “pilgrims of hope, bearers of consolation and inspiration for all those you meet.”

As the second week of Advent draws to a close, inching the Christmas season closer and closer, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV celebrated a special tradition here at the heart of Rome. At the Vatican, the Pope welcomed about 1,000 participants in the “Living Nativity”, who will process today to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

He said that the group comes from all over to visit St. Peter’s tomb, which reflects the generations of pilgrims who have travelled across the globe to visit this sacred place. After their meeting with the Pope, the group will celebrate Holy Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major—also known as the “Bethlehem of the West” as the Holy Crib is preserved there.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV meets with artists and organizers involved in the Vatican’s Christmas Concert, saying that the festive period reminds us that God comes to meet us “at the very heart of our small human stories.”

For 33 years, the Vatican has hosted a Christmas concert in the Paul VI Hall. This year, the event is taking place at the auditorium on Via della Conciliazione, not far from St. Peter’s Basilica, on Saturday, December 13th.

In a meeting with organizers and the artists who will be participating, the Pope emphasized that “music accompanies our journeys, our memories and our efforts: it is a shared intimate diary that preserves each person’s feelings—nostalgia, desire, expectation, disorientation, rebirth—telling our story with simplicity and, at the same time, with depth.”

On Thursday, 11 December 2025, the newly formed committee of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) paid its inaugural visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Led by their Spiritual Advisor, V. Reverend Fr. Avedik Der Garabedian, the committee sought the Catholicos’ blessing and guidance.

Father Avedik expressed his filial gratitude for his appointment and conveyed the Association’s congratulations on the thirtieth Anniversary of His Holiness’s Pontificate. He subsequently outlined the committee’s vision, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfully integrating modern advancements for the enrichment of the Armenian community.

The Armenian Protestant Community in Syria held its Annual General Assembly on Saturday, December 13, at the Community Headquarters, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Haroutune Selimian, Head of the Community.

Pastors, delegates, and representatives from Churches and community institutions gathered in prayerful fellowship, seeking God’s guidance and reflecting on their shared calling. The Assembly opened with Prayer and a spiritual reflection titled “Renewal”, based on Psalm 51:10 and Isaiah 58:10–12. The reflection emphasized that true renewal begins in the heart and is manifested through restoration, justice, and compassionate service.

Mt 11: 2-11

The first fruit of the coming of the Kingdom is the arising of a question in those who await it.

Not an answer, not a certainty, but open questions, which are paths to be traveled.

The question arises in those who go down to the Jordan to be baptized, and who, faced with John's preaching, wonder what they should do (Lk 3:10). The question arises in the heart of John himself, who marvels at seeing how the Messiah presents himself in history, radically upsetting his expectations.

We hear John's first question at the moment of Jesus’s Baptism, when with perplexity, he addresses Jesus saying: “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14).

A second question is found in today's Gospel (Mt 11:2-11), when the Baptist, imprisoned, sends his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he is truly the One they were expecting, or if they should wait for another (Mt 3:3)…

On the final day of his three-day Pontifical visit to Cyprus, on Monday evening, 8 December 2025, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and his delegation visited Sourp Sdepanos Church in Larnaca. He was warmly welcomed by the Church’s Pastor, Rev. Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian, Members of the Board of Trustees, Deacons, and Parishioners.

Following the Canonical Prayer, His Eminence Archbishop Gomidas Ohanyan, Pontifical Vicar of the Cyprus, addressed the faithful on behalf of the community. He noted that this visit marked the final stop of the Catholicos’ pontifical visit.