His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and spiritual leader of Armenian Diaspora, visited Glendale Memorial Hospital as part of a larger tour of Southern California.

Having proclaimed 2011 “The Year of the Armenian Child,” the pontiff bestowed blessings to some of the hospital's patients, newborns and other visitors, Los Angeles Times reported.

The pontiff's itinerary for his 20-day tour includes a lecture at UCLA and visits to local churches, schools and other organizations.