Earlier, Ankara recalled the ambassador for consultations over the statement of Pope Francis saying “genocide” was allegedly committed in Turkey against the Armenians residing there in 1915.
In the beginning of the mass dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the “Armenian genocide” on Apr.12, Pope said that the mankind experienced three "big unprecedented tragedies” – “Armenian genocide”, Nazism and Stalinism.
The Pontiff described the torments of Armenians, Syrian Catholics and Orthodox, Assyrians and Greeks in the beginning of the 20th century as "the first genocide of the twentieth century."
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the remarks made by the Pope on the 1915 events and said that they do not play any role for Turkey.
“Vatican one-sidedly assesses the 1915 events by turning a blind eye to the fact that these events led to the death of a part of Turkey’s Muslim population and the representatives of other religious minorities,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in its statement.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey`s predecessor, the Ottoman Empire allegedly carried out ”genocide” against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. Turkey in turn has always denied "the genocide" took place.
While strengthening the efforts to promote the "genocide" in the world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of some countries.
Turkish ambassador to Vatican arrives in Istanbul for consultations
13 April 2015
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Turkish ambassador to Vatican Mehmet Pacaci arrived in Istanbul on Apr.13 for consultations, Anadolu agency reported.
