Vatican Spokesman Slams Turkey’s Reaction to Pope’s Genocide Recognition
Nothing in Pope Francis' texts or actions has suggested a Crusades-like mentality or spirit; “It is a spirit of dialogue, of building peace, of building bridges and not walls,” said Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi today in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (Armenia) commenting on Turkish deputy prime minister’s slanderous remarks that Pope Francis’ recognition of the Armenian Genocide allegedly resembled the “mentality of the Crusades”.
Mr. Lombardi advised Turkey, which continues to fiercely deny the well-proven fact of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, to read the Pope’s messages carefully and stressed that Pope Francis is not a champion of war but that of peace – a clear message that he articulated repeatedly during his visit. “The Pope is not doing Crusades… He has said no words against the Turkish people”, – emphasised Rev. Lombardi during the press-conference.
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