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April 12 2015
BREAKING NEWS: Pope Calls Mass Killings Armenians 'First Genocide' Of
20th Century
Sunday, April 12, 2015 (9:14 am)
By BosNewsLife News Center with reporting by Stefan J. Bos, Chief
International Correspondent BosNewsLife
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN (BosNewsLife)-- In historic remarks Pope Francis
marked the 100th anniversary of the mass killings of mainly Christian
Armenians by calling it "the first genocide of the 20th century," a
move that was expected to provoke anger in Turkey.
Francis, who has close ties to the Armenian community from his days in
Argentina, said it was his duty to honor the memory of the innocent
men, women, children, priests and bishops who were "senselessly"
murdered under Ottoman rule.
"Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding
without bandaging it," he said during a Mass on Sunday, April 12, in
the Armenian Catholic rite in St. Peter's Basilica honoring the
centenary.
Among those listening was Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, whose
country has long been lobbying to recognize the killing of some 1.5
million Armenians as genocide.
Turkey denies claims by Armenia and several historians that they were
systematically killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I,
saying many died as a result of hunger and general warfare.
TURKEY DENIES
The Turkish government also says the death toll was much smaller.
Ahead of the pope's announcement Turkey's embassy to the Vatican
reportedly canceled a planned press conference, apparently after
learning that the leader of more than a billion Catholics would utter
the word "genocide" despite its opposition to the term.
Several countries recognize the massacres as genocide, such as
Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Russia and Uruguay. However
only Italy and the United States have avoided using the term
officially because Turkey is a crucial ally, including in the NATO
military alliance.
The pope's remarks came on the say he was to declare the mystic St
Gregory of Narek a doctor of the church. Only some 35 people have been
given the title, according to estimates by the Associated Press news
agency.
Pope Francis has in recent weeks called for prayers for persecuted
Christians around the world.
http://www.bosnewslife.com/35077-breaking-news-pope-calls-mass-killings-armenians-first-genocide-of-20th-century
April 12 2015
BREAKING NEWS: Pope Calls Mass Killings Armenians 'First Genocide' Of
20th Century
Sunday, April 12, 2015 (9:14 am)
By BosNewsLife News Center with reporting by Stefan J. Bos, Chief
International Correspondent BosNewsLife
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN (BosNewsLife)-- In historic remarks Pope Francis
marked the 100th anniversary of the mass killings of mainly Christian
Armenians by calling it "the first genocide of the 20th century," a
move that was expected to provoke anger in Turkey.
Francis, who has close ties to the Armenian community from his days in
Argentina, said it was his duty to honor the memory of the innocent
men, women, children, priests and bishops who were "senselessly"
murdered under Ottoman rule.
"Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding
without bandaging it," he said during a Mass on Sunday, April 12, in
the Armenian Catholic rite in St. Peter's Basilica honoring the
centenary.
Among those listening was Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, whose
country has long been lobbying to recognize the killing of some 1.5
million Armenians as genocide.
Turkey denies claims by Armenia and several historians that they were
systematically killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I,
saying many died as a result of hunger and general warfare.
TURKEY DENIES
The Turkish government also says the death toll was much smaller.
Ahead of the pope's announcement Turkey's embassy to the Vatican
reportedly canceled a planned press conference, apparently after
learning that the leader of more than a billion Catholics would utter
the word "genocide" despite its opposition to the term.
Several countries recognize the massacres as genocide, such as
Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Russia and Uruguay. However
only Italy and the United States have avoided using the term
officially because Turkey is a crucial ally, including in the NATO
military alliance.
The pope's remarks came on the say he was to declare the mystic St
Gregory of Narek a doctor of the church. Only some 35 people have been
given the title, according to estimates by the Associated Press news
agency.
Pope Francis has in recent weeks called for prayers for persecuted
Christians around the world.
http://www.bosnewslife.com/35077-breaking-news-pope-calls-mass-killings-armenians-first-genocide-of-20th-century