Friday, June 24 2016 14:40

Pope Francis personally approves the texts of all his speeches, Director of the Holy See Press Office Federico Lombardi stated in Yerevan on June 24 touching upon the fact that the Pope has deviated from the preliminary version of his speech in the presidential residence in Armenia and has several times used the word genocide referring to the events of the beginning of the 20th century in the Ottoman Empire.

 

"We always prepare texts but we should be ready for surprises. The Pope decided to use the word, he made other improvisations as well. This is his decision. Pope has never avoided using the "Armenian Genocide" phrase", he stressed. In this context Lombardi added that previous Popes were also free in their statements.

 

He added that Pope Francis has not just used the Armenian Genocide phrase but has emphasized that it is a tragedy, which headed the list of the catastrophes of the last century conducted by racist, ideological and religious reasons.  Touching upon the possibility of opening the archives of Vatican for studying the documents on Armenian Genocide Lombardi noted that according to his data they were opened long ago and are actively being studied.

 

At the same time summing up the first day of the Pope's visit to Armenia Lombardi stated that the Pope is happy to be on the Armenian land, during the flight he talked to journalists and expressed his opinion related to Britain's leaving the EU. 

 

The Pope was very warmly received n Armenia. He had a warm meeting with the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in Saint Echmiadzin, during which he presented him a mosaic picture of Holy Mother. In his turn Catholicos presented him a goblet. The meeting with the President was also held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, after the meeting the ceremony of exchange of gifts was held. Moreover, Sargsyan expressed the intention of the representatives of the Armenian Diaspora to organize a fundraising for erection of a monument to Grigor Narekatsi in Vatican. The Pope positively reacted to this proposal", Lombardi summarized.