“The first genocide of the 20th Century was that of the Armenians,” says Pope Francis
BUENOS AIRES (Diaro Armenia)—Pope Francis, during a meeting Monday with a delegation led by Nerses Bedros XIX, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics at the Vatican reiterated his earlier recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
During the visit, the pope met with members of the delegation, when one of them said that she was a descendant of Genocide victims, to which the pontiff responded: “The first genocide of the 20th Century was that of the Armenians,” thus reiterating his earlier recognition of the Armenian Genocide while he headed the Catholic Church in Buenos Aires as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio.
Seven years ago, during events marking the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Buenos Aires, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio urged Turkey to recognize the Genocide as the “gravest crime of Ottoman Turkey against the Armenian people and the entire humanity.”
Director of the Armenian National Committee of South America, Dr. Alfonso Tabakian explained that this was the first such statement from the pontiff since being elevated to pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tabakian called the statement “very important since his words transcend any state or religion.”
“This recognition of the Armenian Genocide as the first genocide of the twentieth century reaffirms the statements of John Paul II [which were made] upon his arrival in Armenia on September 25, 2001, demonstrating that more and more states, parliaments and international organizations are adopting this position against the denial of history perpetrated by the Turkish State,” added Tabakian.
During the visit, Nerses Bedros XIX presented the pope with a painting depicting Jesus Christ on the crucifix.
Wow!!! Good and thank you!!!
Congratulations Armenian People & God Bless the Pope. Obama learn a lesson from the Pope and see how real leaders behave , defend their believes and values and honor their pledge. Obama stop being a turkish slave , become a free person and honor your pledge by recognizing publicly the Armenian Genocide.
See the difference, please. Obama thinks that by trading the self-proclaimed duty of acting morally for Turkish “support” (yes, those airbases will so help you in a war against Russia and China and thank God you had them, how else would you have embarrassed yourself in Iraq and Afghanistan?) he is supporting the bigger duty to his people. Clearly he is not, but this is politics, morale never was the crucial factor. Unlike with faith. I’m not supporting it, just saying… of course because of this and similar misbehavior Obama will only be part of history as the black US Gorbachev, but that is his and the US’ problem.
Bari Luys, BIG DEAL, from what i read it is not an official statement from the Vatican. another bone fetched.
You should read more. The Vatican State recognized Armenian Genocide in 2000.
Sireli hyrenagitsner jshmardutiune haghtelu a, vasen nbadagi ashkhadenk hamakhmpvel miasnagan uj tarnal vor garenank mer azki artar aryan hoghin inchkin iravunke hasdadel.mer huyse urishneru vra chitnenk…
BLAH BLAH BLAH –AN ACCIDENTAL COMMENT–A STATEMENT WITH REAL COVERAGE AND PURPOSE IS WHAT IS NEEDED. WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG?
I think there is a heavy Armenian population in Pope Francis’ hometown as I recall. This might be just pandering, you never know.