He also showed an interest in using modern technology and telecommunications to help the life of his churches as well as dealing with the legacies of the Soviet era.

His ecumenical trip to India to meet Baselios Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the East in November 2008, helped strengthen relations between the Armenian and Indian Orthodox Churches.

The delegates to the 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches that took place in Busan, South Korea, on 4 November, unanimously elected Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the supreme patriarch and head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, head of the organisation for the next eight years.

The declaration also took note of various positive steps taken towards unity between the two leaders' churches, and "acknowledged the successful 'new phase' in relations" between them.

It also lamented "immense tragedy" of the widespread persecution of Christians in the Middle East; the Pope and the Catholicos prayed "for a change of heart in all those who commit such crimes and those who are in a position to stop the violence".