Join us for this week’s News from the Orient, brought to you in partnership with L’Œuvre d’Orient. Discover the latest updates on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the warm welcome of Pope Leo XIV by the Eastern Churches, and the recent honor bestowed upon Monsignor Gollnisch in Armenia.

1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

This week marked the 1700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council in Church history held in 325 AD. To commemorate this milestone, various ecumenical celebrations are taking place throughout the year. Pope Francis had planned a joint visit to Nicaea with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Following the Patriarch’s visit to Rome on May 19, it was announced that Pope Leo XIV intends to make the trip to Turkey by the end of the year.

Eastern Churches Welcome Pope Leo XIV

During his installation Mass on Sunday, May 18, Pope Leo XIV was warmly received by numerous patriarchs and bishops from the Eastern Churches. Their hope is that the new pontiff will continue Pope Francis’ legacy of caring for churches in the East. Anticipation is high for a potential papal visit to Lebanon, with expectations that Pope Leo XIV will serve as a unifying figure for all Catholic Churches, not just Latin Catholics.

Monsignor Gollnisch Honored in Armenia

On Tuesday, May 20, Monsignor Pascal Gollnisch, the Director General of L’Œuvre d’Orient, received an honorary doctorate from Yerevan University in Armenia. In a touching ceremony, he laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial alongside the French Ambassador and an Armenian Catholic Archbishop. Additionally, Monsignor Gollnisch planted a tree on behalf of L’Œuvre d’Orient, reaffirming the organization’s steadfast support for the Armenian people and condemning genocide denial.