Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Holds Brief Meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Vatican City

High-Level Encounter in Vatican City

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a brief meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Vatican City on October 20, 2025. The encounter took place during Prime Minister Pashinyan's official visit to the Holy See, where he participated in significant religious and diplomatic events.

Pashinyan's Visit to the Holy See

Prime Minister Pashinyan's visit to the Holy See was primarily to attend the canonization ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan and six other Blesseds, which was presided over by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square. During his time in Vatican City, Pashinyan also engaged in broader diplomatic discussions. He met with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See. Discussions with these Vatican officials focused on:

• Efforts to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Addressing pressing humanitarian issues.
• Strengthening the high-level dialogue and bilateral relations between Armenia and the Holy See, emphasizing shared Christian values and historical heritage.

Prime Minister Pashinyan also extended his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election.

Brief Exchange with Italian President

The meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Mattarella was a brief exchange that occurred at St. Peter's Square. The Armenian Prime Minister later shared a video of their conversation on social media, highlighting the interaction during his visit.

Strengthening Armenia-Italy Relations

The interaction underscores the ongoing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Italy. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were formally established on March 17, 1992. Both countries share deep historical and cultural connections, tracing back to ancient times with links between the Etruscan civilization and the Kingdom of Urartu, and later the Roman Empire and Armenia. As Christian nations, with Armenia being the first to adopt Christianity and Italy hosting the Holy See, their relationship is further enriched by religious commonalities.

Italy has also demonstrated its support for Armenia on significant historical matters, having recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2000, a stance reinforced in 2019. Economically, Italy stands as a key trading partner for Armenia within the European Union, with Italian exports to Armenia showing a significant increase in 2023. This high-level engagement in Vatican City serves to further solidify the multifaceted relationship between the two countries.