2 minute read
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis gave his first annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on Monday. In his speech, the Holy Father expressed his concern over the conflict in Syria, saying it was “unacceptable” that unarmed civilians become targets. Pope Francis also praised those countries which has welcomed refugees from the crisis into their borders.
“In recent months, tens of thousands of those Armenians fled to the Republic of Armenia to escape horrors and violence and we understand probably better than any other the drama of this situation that the Pope has vigorously denounced since his election,” said Mikayel Minasyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See.
As reports “Armenpress” citing the Vatican Radio, among other things the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Holy See Mikayel Minasyan underscored: “The Armenian government highly praises the efforts of the Holy Father directed to the enhancement of peace in Syria and truly hopes that the Geneva 2 Conference, mentioned also by the Pope in his speech, could be a turning point.”
“We believe that conflicts are better settled through dialogue,” Minasyan continued. “We share on this matter the same position of the Holy See, that only a negotiated agreement can lead to a durable peace.”
Ambassador Minasyan is the first Armenian Ambassador to the Holy See to be resident in Rome.
“The decision of the Armenian President to open a permanent diplomatic mission in Rome, accredited to the Holy See, outlines the importance that we attach to the mutually shared values and concerns and is a direct recognition of the diplomatic role of the Holy See in the world,” he said.