Pope Francis' Messages will Create New Opportunities for Armenia

• 06.28.2016, 15:11
• Greta Avetisyan
•  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  Armenia,  Analytics

Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia, or as he said in his message, his pilgrimage to the first Christian country ended. The chosen motto of his visit, his speeches in Armenia during different events, as well as his silent prayer in Tsitsernakaberd and in general his manner during these three days showed and spoke about lots of things.

First, Pope’s visit to Armenia once again reminded the whole world about the place of Armenians and the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Christian world. It was not by chance that during his speeches Pope remembered saintly Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali, Saint Gregory of Narek, defining him a "Doctor of Peace", visited Khor Virap, lighting a candle in St. Gregory the Illuminator Chapel.

Second, once again it was stressed that Armenia is the carrier of European values with Christian basis, due to which very often Armenia faced lots of difficulties, which, at the same time, has ensured the revival of the Armenian nation.

Third, in all his messages Pope called for peace, wishing there was peace in Artsakh and reconciliation between Armenian and Turkish societies. It is obvious that such a message would not be heard from Pope Francis if there was an atmosphere of enmity among the RA authorities and the society towards Turks and Azerbaijanis, doves would not be released towards the closed Armenian-Turkish border from a country that does not perceive the value and the price of peace.

On his way to Rome, during the press-conference in the plane, Pope put a special emphasis on this. He stressed the importance of the words of the RA President Serzh Sargsyan said in the context of the Armenian Genocide that "by recognizing the past and embracing forgiveness and a clean conscience, one should move towards genuine reconciliation and a shared prosperous future." According to Pope, a nation that has suffered so much, should have a courage to say such kind of thing.

 Fourth, one should remember that Pope, besides being a religious leader, is also the head of the Vatican state. In this regard his visit, which passed in a quite positive and warm atmosphere, will surely not only boost the deepening of the relations of the Catholic and Apostolic churches, but will also raise to a new level the cooperation between Vatican and the Republic of Armenia.

Taking into consideration the symbolic meaning of Pope and the value of his words in Catholic countries, as well as the unique attitude and love of people towards Pope Francis, these messages, surely, will be perceived by many countries. As for the opportunities created during Pope’s visit and from his messages, then these are a lot and can be doubled due to our correct, targeted and consistent work, which we should start as soon as possible, not missing moment.