YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. The Pope did not deliver a speech in the Armenian Genocide Memorial because it was a moment of contemplation, reflection, said Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office at a briefing in Gyumri.

“Pope Francis experienced moments of meditation while visiting the Memorial. Pope Francis’ style is more appropriate to silence and prayer”, Lombardi said.

Speaking on the message of Pope Francis in the Memorial’s Guest Book, Lombardi said Pope Francis added lines to the scripted text. “He added a few lines, which derive from his experiences of these days”, Lombardi said.

According to Lombardi, Pope Francis didn’t have time to visit the Museum, but he knows that an important document is preserved there – the letter of Pope Benedict XV to the Ottoman sultan, by which he was mediating for the salvation of Armenians.

“Also this morning we saw with amazement the bright Mount Ararat. On this historical moment, the symbol of Armenia Mount Ararat opened for us”, Lombardi said.

During the briefing the Pope’s relations with the Armenians was also discussed.

“He had deep relations with the Armenian community of Argentina. Yesterday he met with Argentine-Armenian Apostolic Bishop, they know each other very well and are friends. The Armenian people are not new to him, as well as the Armenian history. It is a great joy for him to interact with the source of the Armenian culture, which is based on a long pre-history of knowledge and friendship”, Lombardi said.