It is with immense emotion that I had the honor of meeting His Holiness Pope Francis during two consecutive private audiences at the Vatican. These moments of rare intensity will remain etched in my memory forever, as they testify to the spiritual significance of my approach and the recognition it has garnered.
A First Audience Marked by Sharing
During our first meeting, I had the privilege of presenting His Holiness with a unique work of art: “Jesus Bears the Sacred Heart,” created by the talented artist Bahattin SAYGI. This painting, designed in mosaic with small precious and semi-precious stones, draws its origins from materials collected from sacred places in Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. The yellowish stones, particularly valuable, come from the legendary King Solomon’s Mines near Jerusalem.
This solemn moment was an opportunity to present my spiritual patronage initiative, which aims to offer these paintings to holy and memorial sites around the world. The Pope, visibly moved, blessed the artist, the artworks, and my ring, a unique piece of jewelry representing the face of Jesus, crowned with diamonds and flanked by Armenian crosses, symbolizing the first Christian nation in history.
A Second Exceptional Audience
A few days after our first meeting, His Holiness granted me a second audience, an act of extreme rarity. During this warm exchange, Pope Francis expressed his deep gratitude for the gift of the artwork. He personally handed me a letter of thanks, an honor reserved for only a few privileged individuals, as well as an official Vatican medal, given to those who have marked his papacy with exceptional actions.
He also encouraged me to continue my patronage initiative, supporting the exhibition of these unique paintings in other holy sites, while emphasizing that this initiative carried a powerful message of faith and communion among believers.
A Blessing for the Future
Pope Francis concluded this meeting by assuring me that his doors would always be open to me. This blessing goes beyond the personal; it extends his spiritual aura to all future donors and patrons who wish to contribute to this journey.
Universal Recognition
These audiences, and the symbolic significance of this gift, quickly echoed beyond the walls of the Vatican. Local, national, and international media have echoed this event, highlighting the importance of this initiative, both spiritual and artistic.
A Continuing Spiritual Path
Meeting His Holiness Pope Francis strengthened my conviction that this mission, blending art, faith, and memory, is worth continuing. Through these artworks, a message of love, peace, and universal communion is being spread.
I would like to deeply thank all those who accompany me in this project and contribute to its success. Every donation, every painting offered, is not just a work of art but a testimony of faith and a tribute to the holy places around the world.
Join me in this spiritual patronage initiative: together, let us continue to bring these exceptional works to life in places that honor memory and faith.
