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“Certain developments followed the mass, served in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican last year, though I think actual relations between the Holy See and Turkey are good, and there is no reason to look into major problems,” Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office told reporters at press conference in Gyumri media center attended by Armenian and foreign reporters.

Federico Lombardi’s comments came when asked what possible reaction Turkey may offer amid Pope’s reference to the Armenian Genocide, a description that infuriated Turkey when he said it a year ago.

To remind, on June 24 Pope Francis went off the prepared text and called the Armenian massacres under the Ottoman rule in the beginning of the 20th century as Genocide, Last year the move resulted in recalling Turkish envoy from Vatican and keeping away him for 10 months.

“References to past historical tragedies are made not to renew and open uo the past wounds and conflicts, but rather for the sole purpose of laying grounds for help, mutual perception and understanding, dialogue and reconciliation,” Federico Lombardi stressed.

In this regard Lombardi noted the message by President of Armenia itself contained similar ‘good formulations aimed at peace and reconciliation as well.’

“As I recall, while reflecting on the memory of the Armenian people, he [President of Armenia] used the word compassion in the same meaning the Pope did. That is about building a future, the future of peace and reconciliation, mutual perception and harmony. This should be unambiguously clear. This is to be our intention, while misinterpretations remain unrelated to both the Pope and me,” Federico Lombardi concluded.