Leader of the Armenian Catholic Community: Pope's Visit to Armenia Once Again Emphasizes that He Shares Our Pain (EXCLUSIVE)

• 06.23.2016, 20:15
•  Armenia,  Interview

"I think that the importance of Pope’s visit to Armenia is first of all connected with the fact that last year, during the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Pope Francis talked about the Armenian Genocide and in fact officially recognized it. In this regard his visit to Armenia once again emphasizes that he is with the Armenian nation, that he shares our pain," the leader of the Armenian Catholic community of Russia, Father Sergei Babajanyan said in a talk "Armedia" IAA.

"On the other hand this visit is a great signal that Pope Francis accepts that Armenians, Armenian nation are first Christians, that it was us that first adopted Christianity as a state religion, as well as that Armenia, Armenians have a great believe in God," he mentioned.

Referring to Pope’s upcoming visit to Azerbaijan, Father Sergei called this a "serious signal to Azerbaijan", expressing a hope that after his visit, Azerbaijan will start thinking, understanding and perceiving certain things. "I hope that Pope’s calls for peace – that there should not be war anymore, that people should not suffer, that everything should be solved in peaceful means, will have their effects," he added.