Pope’s speech a hard blow at Turkey, Armenian Turkish studies expert says

On Sunday the head of the Roman Catholic Church served a landmark mass in the Armenian Catholic rite in St. Peter’s Basilica. In his speech, Pope Francis used the world genocide in describing the mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey a century ago. The Pope’s statement provoked anger in Turkey.

The fact of Turkey’s “frantic attempts” in response, particularly the recalling of the ambassador and demanding explanations from the Vatican’s envoy, indicate it has been a hard blow, Safrastyan said. 

Following the Pope’s ‘genocide’ comment Turkey recalled the ambassador to the Vatican, and called the Vatican ambassador to the foreign ministry for consultation. 

Turkey is well aware that the Pope’s statement is an important step toward recognition of the Armenian genocide, Safrastyan said. 

Turkey’s prime-minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticized the Pope’s statement calling it “unfortunate”. 

The Armenian genocide was the first genocide committed in XX century. Turkey rejects the accusation of massacres and the killing of one and a half million Armenians during World War I. 

The fact of the Armenian genocide is recognized by many countries, particularly by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, most of the U.S. states, as well as by the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium, Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Common House of Canada, the Seym of Poland and lower house of Italian parliament. –0—