Pope Francis once again uses the term “Genocide” – reaction of Turkish media
YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis again uses “Genocide” term – with this title the Turkish media has referred to Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia and his usage of the term “Genocide” in a speech at the Presidential Palace.
The Turkish “Hurriyet” daily has published the news with the following title : “Once again he used that word”.
Hurriyet draws attention on the fact that the Pope has deviated from the pre-prepared speech text and has called the 1915 tragedy Genocide.
Hurriyet writes that back in 2015, Pope Francis had used the term again in a ceremony in Vatican by saying : “The first genocide of the century happened with the Armenians”, after which Turkey had recalled its Ambassador from Vatican, who returned to his post only after 10 months.
The Turkish Milliyet wrote : “One year has passed…..The Pope has done the same again”. Milliyet also highlights the fact that Pope Francis changed his pre-prepared speech and used the term Genocide.
The Turkish agency of the German Deutsche Welle wrote : “ Visiting Armenia Pope Francis once again calls the events of 1915 Genocide”. DW highlighted that this is the Pope’s 14th foreign visit, and Armenia has become his first stop in the region. Deutsche Welle reported that Pope Francis is due to visit Georgia and Azerbaijan in September.
The Turkish T24 reported “The Pope uses the term “Genocide” for the third time” – by saying that the Vatican sources informed the Pope will avoid the term this time.
CNN Turk quoted the Pope’s speech – “This Genocide became the first circle of inhumane disasters of the previous century”. CNN Turk reports that the usage of the term had strained Turkey-Vatican relations back in 2015.
Sabah reports – “Pope’s scandalous announcement……..Despite not being written in the text, the Pope said “Genocide” in Armenia.
Similar articles were published by Haberler, Al Jazeera Turkish agency, BBC Turk, NTV, Yeni Safak and Aksam.
Pope Francis delivered a speech on June 24 in the Armenian Presidential Palace during a meeting with President Sargsyan, top officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of the society. During the speech, the Pope deviated from the pre-prepared text and used the term “Genocide”.
In particular, Pope Francis said: “Metz Yeghérn, the “Great Evil” that struck your people and caused the death of a vast multitude of persons. 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.”
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