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.

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