YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis’ visit and speeches were a turning point in the relations of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, Director of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences Ashot Melkonyan told ARMENPRESS.

“During 1700 years of history serious disagreements have been present between the two Churches, Rome and other denominations, which had political overtones. The Medieval period is full of struggle, now Vatican’s attitude has fundamentally changed. Fortunately, with Pope John Paul II’s visit to Armenia in 2001, with Pope Francis’ 2015 Mass in Vatican, as well as his visit to Armenia, this relations appeared on an entirely different level”, Ashot Melkonyan said.

 Melkonyan says by visiting Armenia, Pope Francis officially accepted the reality, which wasn’t accepted for centuries. That is, it is Armenians, as a nation, who have adopted Christianity the first on a state level. The second important fact according to Melkonyan is in regard the visit of the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew to Armenia and their advocacy. Vatican was arguing this, giving preference to Paul and Peter. The Pope clearly stated that with the activities of the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew Christianity began in Armenia.

“The third important fact is that the official Vatican has clearly stated that it views the Armenian Apostolic Church in the ecumenical movement as a separate Christian Church in equal terms and has no intentions to have a priority status on the Armenian Apostolic Church. This is a fundamental change, and I link this with the personal qualities of the Pope. A man, for whom political issues are not as important as moral values. From this point of view we are dealing with an exclusive personality, who is guided by moral standards”, Ashot Melkonyan said.

“The Pope’s approach and steps in the Armenian Genocide issue will have impact on the recognition process, as it happened after the Mass in Vatican.  The Latin American Catholic countries reacted, resolutions were adopted. The Czech Republic responded – on the level of Foreign Relations. And this year the Czech President spoke about it, by stressing that he will urge the Parliament to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. So, let us wait for new developments, let us not forget that 1,5 billion Christians stand behind the Pope”, Melkonian said.

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.

Pope Francis and Catholicos Garegin II visited one of the most important sanctuaries of the Armenian people and the Armenian Apostolic Church – Khor Virap- where they prayed together and released doves towards Ararat.