Francis in Armenia Archives

What does the Armenia trip tell us about Pope Francis?

Papal trips are important for many reasons, including what they reveal about a pope’s personality and priorities. Francis’s June 24-26 outing to Armenia was no exception, offering insights about the importance of Argentina, his seriousness about the Orthodox, and his stubborn streak.

Pope Francis practices the politics of memory in Armenia

In a part of the world where memory so often seems a dangerous thing, nursing resentments and fueling new conflicts, Pope Francis made the audacious claim in Armenia on Saturday that memory, coupled with faith, is actually the only route to peace.

Pope Francis invokes magic word ‘genocide’ on day one in Armenia
- Francis in Armenia, Vatican
- Jun 24, 2016
In a departure from his prepared text on Friday, Pope Francis used the magic word “genocide” in describing the suffering and loss of life of Armenians at the hands of the dying Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Invoking that term generally brings political and diplomatic protests from Turkey.
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Pope backs Colombia peace, ducks Brexit, presses Christian unity
- Francis in Armenia, Global Church, Vatican
- Jun 24, 2016
On day one of his June 24-26 trip to Armenia, Pope Francis hailed a new peace deal in Colombia, avoided taking a strong position on the U.K.’s decision to exit the European Union, and praised the Armenian Apostolic Church for its openness to closer ecumenical relations.
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Armenians say ‘whole population’ set to welcome Pope Francis
- Catholic News Service, Francis in Armenia
- Jun 23, 2016
Armenians say Pope Francis will be widely welcomed during his June 24- 26 visit not only because he’s recognized the genocide, but also for his moral stance on pressing world issues and for his decision to elevate St. Gregory of Narek, a 10th-century Armenian monk, to the rank of Doctor of the Church.
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