Pope Francis’ stance on Armenian Genocide is very clear – says Vice-President of Swiss Parliament

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. In an interview with “Armenpress”, Vice-President of the Swiss Parliament, Co-Chair of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary group Dominique de Buman said the primary aim of Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia was to recall that he is coming to the country which was the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion.

“He has a global impact. He does what he says, and vice versa, he says what he does. On April 2015 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome he very clearly recognized the Genocide: this was such a powerful that there was no step back. And it is clear that his decision to spend three days in Armenia was not in vain. He wanted once again to recall that he is coming to the first Christian country to say his message of love, peace and solidarity”, Dominique de Buman said.

Buman said concerning the Genocide, Pope’s stance is very clear. “He had no problem of repeating the word genocide, he had nothing to prove since he has already done it and in much more difficult place. He wants to say that all genocides must be recognized, announced, condemned: those genocides that are not recognized yet and especially the genocides against the Christian people which are the most suffered in the world”, he said.

Dominique de Buman said Pope Francis creates foreign relations for Armenia, he is trying to eliminate the obstacles coming from abroad. “He wants to spread his message of solidarity. This message cannot create any obstacle for the neighbors of Armenia since it bears two issues: support to all Christian people and demand of solidarity between all people. He does not discriminate, and this is his power: love cannot be divided only between several people, it is a global value”, Dominique de Buman concluded.

Pope Francis arrived in Armenia on June 24. A welcoming ceremony was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. The Pope had a meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan in the Presidential Palace, where he made an announcement addressed to Armenian officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of the society.

On June 25 Pope Francis visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial, accompanied by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II.

Pope Francis laid a wreath at the Memorial and prayed. The Pope laid flowers with the President and Catholicos Garegin II at the Eternal Flame, where clergymen performed an intercessional ritual for the canonized martyrs.

Pope Francis visited the Memory Park of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, blessed the fir-tree planted under his name and afterwards signed the Honorary Guest Book of the Armenian Genocide Memorial-Institute.

The Pope then delivered a Holy Mass in Gyumri’s Vardanants Square.

During the day the Pope returned to Yerevan, where the most important and most open event for the society during his visit took place in the Republic Square.

A peace prayer was delivered, which was preceded and followed by a joint festive concert of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Choir – dedicated to Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia.

In the morning of June 26, a liturgy was held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, which was delivered by His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II with Pope Francis.

After that, a joint statement was signed in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. Then, Pope Francis and Caltholisc of All Armenians Garegin II visted Khor Virap Monastery where they released doves symbolizing peace from a platform looking at Biblical Ararat Mountain.

The same day Pope Francis departed for Vatican.