” “The memory of the "terrible persecution" of Armenians ("the great evil") and the encouragement to continue "a common journey towards the full unity" of the Churches: these are the words uttered today by Benedict XVI in the meeting with the Synod of the Armenian Churches. "The Armenian Church said the Pope, which takes its origin from the Patriarchate of Cilicia, is certainly fully involved in the historical vicissitudes of the Armenian people over the centuries, and in particular the pain they suffered in the name of the Christian religion in the years of the terrible persecution that is known in history with the unfortunate name of metz yeghèrn, the great evil". The Holy Father recalled "the many invitations sent by Leo XIII to the Catholics, to relieve the poverty and the sufferings of the Armenian populations" and "Pope Benedict XV’s firm contribution". The Armenian-Catholic community, scattered over many countries, is looked after, in its pastoral care, by eparchies or bishoprics. For instance, in the Middle East, Cilicia and Lebanon. "All the Armenian-Catholics look at the patriarchate as at a firm spiritual landmark". Then, Benedict XVI commented that "several Churches that recognise Saint Gregory the Enlightener as their common founding Father are divided, even if over the last decades they have resumed some friendly and fruitful talks". For this reason, he intends to encourage "this renewed fraternity and cooperation". Hence the hope that, despite the fragmentation of the Armenian Church, "one day it will be united again with its own hierarchy in brotherly inner harmony and in full communion with the Bishop of Rome". ” “
