On June 25 morning, Pope Francis visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims.
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the First Lady Rita Sargsyan, as well as other officials and clergymen accompanied the Pope.
Pope Francis, Karekin II, Serzh Sargsyan and Rita Sargsyan made their way to the Eternal Flame. The Pope offered a prayer, laid a wreath at the Memorial and observed a minute of silence to commemorate the Armenian Genocide victims.
At the end of the ceremony, the Pope uttered the Paternoster. Afterwards, he headed for the Alley of Memory and consecrated the fir tree planted on the Pope's behalf.
To note, at yesterday's meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Pope Francis touched on the topic of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. "Sadly, that tragedy was the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century, made possible by twisted racial, ideological or religious aims that darkened the minds of the tormentors even to the point of planning the annihilation of entire peoples. I pay homage to the Armenian people who, illuminated by the light of the Gospel, even at the most tragic moments of their history, have always found in the cross and resurrection of Christ the strength to rise again and take up their journey anew with dignity. This shows the depth of their Christian faith and its boundless treasures of consolation and hope. Having seen the pernicious effects to which hatred, prejudice and the untrammelled desire for dominion led in the last century, I express my lively hope that humanity will learn from those tragic experiences the need to act with responsibility and wisdom to avoid the danger of a return to such horrors. May all join in striving to ensure that whenever conflicts emerge between nations, dialogue, the enduring and authentic quest of peace, cooperation between states and the constant commitment of international organizations will always prevail, with the aim of creating a climate of trust favourable for the achievement of lasting agreements," Pope Francis said in his speech.