The Synod of the Armenian Catholic Church, meeting this week in Rome, has elected Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian as the 21st Catholicos-Patriarch.

A ringing of bells in the patriarchal convent of Bzommar, Lebanon, announced the election of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics: His Beatitude Raphaël François Minassian.

He had served until now as the titular archbishop of Caesarea of Cappadocia of the Armenians and Ordinary for the Armenian Catholic faithful of Eastern Europe. His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI is the President of Armenian Caritas.

The new Patriarch succeeds Gregory Peter XX Ghabroyan, who died last May, and has taken the name Raphaël Bedros [Peter] XXI Minassian. The election took place during the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Cilicia of the Armenians, convened in Rome by Pope Francis.