"The Pope's prayers at the Armenian Genocide Memorial will echo around the world," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"The presence of Pope Francis at the Armenian Genocide Memorial - over the strident objections of Turkey's leaders - stands as a powerful moral testament against Ankara's ongoing obstruction of justice for this crime. In bearing witness - before all the world - at this most sacred site, Pope Francis is openly challenging Turkey's efforts to erase from history its massacre and exile of millions of Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks, and other ancient Christian nations from their biblical era homelands."
In the weeks leading up to the Pope's Armenia visit, the ANCA has announced a nationwide call-in campaign to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution (H.Res.154). The measure, which has some 70 cosponsors, highlights the U.S. prior record of Armenian Genocide affirmation and calls on President Obama to "work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey's full acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime against humanity."
On Friday 24 June, welcoming Service will be held in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Saturday 25 June, Divine Liturgy will be offered by Pope Francis in the Vardanants Square of Gyumri. Serzh Sargsyan and Pope Francis are expected to make a statement for the representatives of the government, public and the Diplomatic Corps. Later on the same day, Ecumenical Service and Peace Prayer is scheduled in the Republic Square of Yerevan, offered by His Holiness Karekin II and Pope Francis. Sunday 26 June, Pontifical Divine Liturgy will be offered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin at the St. Trdat Open Air Altar, by His Holiness Karekin II. The following events are planned for the same day: participation in Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral (Homily by Catholicos and greeting by the Pope); Ecumenical Lunch with the Catholicos, Archbishops and Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholic Bishops of Armenia and Cardinals and Bishops from the Papal entourage in the Apostolic Palace; meeting with delegates and benefactors of the Apostolic Armenian Church in the Apostolic Palace; signing of Joint Declaration in the Apostolic Palace; Prayer at Khor Virap Monastery.