The Pope will appoint a new Doctor of the Church. It is the 10th century Armenian monk Gregory of Narek. He was a poet, philosopher and theologian.
It is a rare and important gesture. There are 35 other Doctors of the Church, total. Paul VI appointed two, John Paul II just one and Benedict XVI only two.
Doctors of the Church are saints whose teachings are considered valid for Catholics of all time.
Gregory of Narek was born in what is now Turkey in 950. He died about 60 years later. The monk was passionate about music, astronomy, geometry, mathematics, literature, and theology.
He wrote beautiful comments to the Song of Solomon and his masterpiece is considered to be the 95 prayers from the Book of Lamentations. Many prayers are repeated in the ceremonies of the Armenian Church.
The last proclamation ceremony for new Doctors of the Church was in October 2012. Pope Benedict gave the title to Saint John of Avila and Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
