Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 12 2015
Pope refers to mass deportation of Armenians as ‘first genocide of
20th century’
VATICAN CITY
Pope Francis leads a mass for Armenian Catholics on April 12, 2015 at
St Peter’s basilica in Vatican. AFP Photo
Pope Francis referred the killings of Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as
“the first genocide of the 20th century” during a solemn mass in
Vatican April 12, citing a statement signed by John Paul II and the
Armenian patriarch in 2001.
“In the past century our human family has lived through three massive
and unprecedented tragedies,” he said. “The first, which is widely
considered ‘the first genocide of the 20th century,’ struck your own
Armenian people.”
While Francis did not use his own words to describe the murders as
genocide, John Paul II’s use of the term provoked a sharp reaction
from Turkey at the time.
“We recall the centenary of that tragic event, that immense and
senseless slaughter whose cruelty your forebears had to endure,”
Francis said.
“It is necessary, and indeed a duty, to honor their memory, for
whenever memory fades, it means that evil allows wounds to fester,” he
added.
Armenia says up to 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians were killed in a
genocide starting in 1915. Turkey denies that the deaths amounted to
genocide, saying the death toll of Armenians killed during mass
deportations has been inflated and that those killed in 1915 and 1916
were victims of general unrest during World War I.
April/12/2015
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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