Pope’s Announcements are not for Inflaming Wounds, but for Reconciliation: Federico Lombardi

In Yerevan, the Pope has spoken about the past tragedies not to inflame wounds, but to help create grounds for reconciliation, said Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office in a briefing in Gyumri.

“Some occurrences happened after the ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, but the true relations between the Holy See and Turkey are good, there are no reasons to see big issues here. Yesterday evening, references to past tragedies were made not for inflaming the wounds, but rather to help find grounds for reconciliation”, Federico Lombardi said.

According to him, the President of Armenia also made very good formulations in favor of reconciliation and peace.

“He used the term condescension, if I remember correctly, in the sense that Pope has used it. It’s about mutual understanding, building a harmonious future, this must be clear”, he added.

“We don’t look for culprits. We don’t spread accusations. We simply want things to be called by their names, as it will allow two neighboring peoples to move towards genuine reconciliation and a shared prosperous future”, President Sargsyan said during the June 24 reception at the Presidential Palace.

Pope Francis said: “Sadly, that tragedy, that genocide, was the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century, made possible by twisted racial, ideological or religious aims that darkened the minds of the tormentors even to the point of planning the annihilation of entire peoples.”