Saturday, June 25 2016 11:49

The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., has come out with a call not to see serious issues in the relations with Turkey, as the Pope recognizes the Armenian Genocide, because the relations of the Mother See and Turkey are good.  Federico Lombardi made such statement in a news conference in Gyumri on June 25 when commenting on Turkey's possible response to the Pontiff's visit to Armenia.

The Pope has spoken about the past tragedies not to inflame wounds, but to help create grounds for reconciliation, Federico Lombardi, SJ said. He recalled that some misunderstandings happened after the ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica timed to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, but the true relations between the Holy See and Turkey are good. 

In his words, the Pope's references to past tragedies were made not for inflaming the wounds, but rather to help find grounds for reconciliation.  He recalled that in his speech President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan used very exact formula aimed at peace and reconciliation. "If I am not mistaken, he used the word 'forgiveness' in the same sense as the Pope did when speaking about the memory of the Armenian people," Father Lombardi said adding that the Pope was speaking about building the future of reconciliation, understanding and harmony.  He said such was the intention, and if wrong interpretations are done, this does not depend on the Pope or him.  Pope Francis arrived on a three-day visit to Armenia on June 24. John Paul II was the first Pope to visit Armenia. It was in September 2001. 

More than 30 representatives of the Turkish media cover the Pope's landmark visit to the first Christian country. 

During the above Liturgy in Vatican on April 12 2015, the Pope used the word genocide to describe what happened in the Ottoman Empire in early 20th century. In Yerevan, at the presidential palace, the Pontiff used the phrase Armenian Genocide for several times.