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By Marshall D. Moushigian, The Fresno Bee

There is nothing necessarily special or significant about Vatican City's recent official recognition of the Armenian genocide.

More and more governments are looking at the facts of the matter, looking at Turkey's untenable denial campaign, looking themselves in the mirror and coming to the logical conclusion that not only did a genocide take place, and not only has the festering of the non-recognition done more harm than good, but that the basic concepts of fairness and justice demand it.

But this recognition is, in fact, both special and significant. Pope Francis, prior to becoming Pope, was cardinal of Buenos Aires, and it was at that station that he first stated his support for Armenian genocide recognition. As a cardinal, he held one of the highest offices of one of the largest jurisdictions governed by Vatican City. His continued recognition of the genocide, from cardinal through papacy, is special when one compares such action to others who have eventually reached their professional pinnacle.

Recent history has shown, here in the United States, that when one is a candidate for president, he or she will eagerly say "Armenian genocide" to collect desperately needed votes. But once that highest office is attained, principles are tossed aside to make room for realpolitik — pursuing an expedient political agenda (e.g. cushy relations with Turkey) despite the clear lack of moral considerations in such a pursuit. President Obama and his immediate predecessor, George W. Bush, fall into this sad category. Pope Francis is different: He maintained his position despite his elevated status, and that is truly the stuff of miracles; one more and he is a saint.

Vatican City is a country like no other. Its constituency is based upon not only geographic citizenship (it has about 800 residents), but also religious affiliation, which means that its sphere of influence is limitless, and so is its significance. The religion is Christianity and, particularly, Catholicism. Catholics make up just over one-quarter of Europe's population. Turkey is scratching at Europe's door, but has yet to take demonstrable steps toward meeting the EU admission guidelines. There are plenty in Europe who would prefer to discard those guidelines and see Turkey promptly integrated, simply for the profit potential of a trading partner with more than 11 million residents.

Europe's Catholics can do themselves, and Europe as a whole, a favor by encouraging and ensuring that their respective leaders hold Turkey to strict adherence of those requirements (one of which is Armenian genocide recognition). Europe's Catholics should also remember the last time Turks were scratching at Europe's door, at Vienna in 1683, and that the invading Ottoman Turks were repelled from Europe because, ultimately, they did not belong, and they were not wanted — but more important, all Europeans should remember why.

Not much has changed in nearly three and a half centuries, and not much had changed when 1915 rolled around, when open season was declared on every Armenian man, woman and child. Everybody knows what happened to the Armenians. The Catholics — all of Europe for that matter — must understand that by letting Turkey in, they would be letting in a group who thinks that race extermination based on ethnicity and Christian faith is acceptable conduct.

Despite the occasional issues that interrupt the Holy See, Catholics can stand confident knowing that they should never have to apologize for their leadership recognizing the Armenian genocide. The Turks of the waning days of the Ottoman Empire conceived the inconceivable, and the Turks of today have the gall to pretend it never even happened. Pope Francis stated that "… trampling upon a person's dignity is a serious sin." His Holiness also recognizes that an even greater sin is allowing the footprints to remain.