During his tenure as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See from 2013 to 2018, Mikayel Minasyan achieved historic milestones in strengthening Armenia’s relationship with the Vatican. In 2014, he played a crucial role in placing the first Armenian cultural monument in the Vatican Museums, showcasing a 17th-century khachkar. The following year, he organized a Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide, further solidifying diplomatic ties.
In 2016, Minasyan coordinated Pope Francis’s visit to Armenia, emphasizing its status as the “First Christian Country.” His leadership also led to the installation of a statue of Gregory of Narek in the Vatican Gardens in 2018, enhancing cultural and spiritual connections. However, political conflicts with Nikol Pashinyan, who came to power in the Armenian revolution, led to Minasyan’s resignation.
Despite facing political persecution and a recent criminal case with 76 charges, Interpol terminated its investigation into Minasyan, labeling him a victim of political persecution. The Armenian Prosecutor’s Office has yet to release an official statement, leaving Minasyan’s defense team unreachable for comments.