His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, embarked on a pastoral mission on December 3, beginning with a brief stop in Switzerland before proceeding to a two-day program in Marseille, France.
The Catholicos traveled with a senior church delegation that included Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan, Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Archimandrite Shahe Ananyan, and Patriarchal Delegate Archimandrite Grigor Minasyan.
In Marseille, the visit underscored the city’s long-standing ties with the Armenian community. Mayor Benoît Payan formally received Karekin II at City Hall, emphasizing the enduring relationship between Marseille and the Armenian people. In an official statement, Payan noted that the city “would not be Marseille without the Armenians,” reaffirming the community’s deep cultural and historical imprint.
A major moment in the trip took place on December 5 at the revered Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, where the Catholicos consecrated an unprecedented double khachkar combining the Armenian Cross of Life with the Latin Cross. This is the first monument of its kind to be placed within a Latin Catholic sanctuary. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline joined the ceremony, highlighting the interfaith significance of the event.
Earlier the same day, Karekin II and the delegation opened a new Armenian Art exhibition in Marseille, which will remain accessible to the public until May 1, 2026.
The Catholicos is scheduled to return to Armenia tomorrow evening. A large crowd is expected to gather at Zvartnots International Airport around 20:00 to welcome him home.
