Armenian opera singer 'world's first woman' honored with pontifical knighthood order

Pope Francis has bestowed the Order of Saint Sylvester upon a Russian-Armenian opera singer who thus became the world's first woman to be honored with the pontific award.

The solemn ceremony was held in a closed-door format as part of an Easter Mass at an Orthodox church in the Vatican, Rusarminfo reports, citing sources with direct information from the Holy See.

The Pope appreciated Svetlana Kasyan's charity work and peacemaking efforts, as well as her anti-abortion campaign across Russia.

The pontific honor, often referred to  as Sylvestrine Order, is one of five Orders of Knighthood awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of State of Vatican City.