Cardinal Gregorio Pietro XV Agagianian — 5 Portraits from the History of the Armenian People

Armenians had connections with Rome both before and after the adoption of Christianity, especially during the time when Rome became the center of the Catholic world. But only one Armenian was destined to achieve the status that could be considered one of the most likely candidates for the Pope, the leader of the Catholic world. That person was one of the children of Javakhk, Cardinal Gregorio Pietro XV Agagianian.

It is known that during the period of oppression in the Ottoman Empire, some Armenians began to lean towards Catholicism and, having succumbed to the sermons of Catholic missionaries, adopted Catholicism, hoping to find protection by European powers, in particular France. But Catholicism did not always save them from the violence of the Ottoman state, since it always had an extremely negative attitude towards Armenians and ethnic Armenians in general. However, over the centuries, a large layer of Armenian Catholics was formed. They had and have their own spiritual leadership, which is called the Armenian Catholic Church.

In 1895, a child named Ghazaros was born to the Catholic Armenian family of Aghajanian, who moved from Karin to Akhaltsikhe. The child was destined to become one of the most famous figures of the Roman Catholic Church in the mid-20th century and to be at the center of various world, political, and spiritual events. He was also twice considered papabile, a potential candidate for the post of Pope.

Being a gifted child, Ghazaros Aghajanian showed his educational abilities from an early age. He was sent to Rome to continue his education in Catholic educational institutions.

Arriving in Rome at the age of 11, he would be one of the most important figures in various important events for the rest of his life. He graduated from school, then continued his studies at the university and delved into theology and philosophy. Some time later, Ghazaros decided to enter the clergy in the Catholic Church and became a priest, taking the name Francis. Priest Francis very quickly showed his abilities and soon became one of the brightest young priests. In 1935, he was ordained a bishop, and in 1937, at the age of 42, he was destined to become the elected head of the Armenian Catholic Church, that is, Patriarch Catholicos, taking the name Gregorio Pietro.

Today it is very important to learn about Cardinal Gregorio Agagianian because, using his leverage, he saved the Armenian population in Kessab, the Diaspora where 35 thousand Armenians lived, as well as the Armenian Church and cultural values from the Turkish threat and depopulation.
Cardinal Gregorio Agagianian is one of the most interesting characters in the Armenian history of the 20th century, who never forgot his Armenian identity and his belonging to the Armenian people.

In the ‘5 Portraits from the History of the Armenian People’ series of Alpha News’ fall season, renowned scholar Professor Ruben Melkonyan reveals the image of Cardinal Gregorio Pietro XV Agagianian as one of the most outstanding figures in the Catholic world.