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“And also with Turkey and the president of the republic [of Armenia] in his welcoming speech spoke clearly, he had the courage to say: let’s come to an agreement, forgive each other, and look to the future. And this is a great courage for a people who has suffered so much, no?” Pope Francis said during a press conference  aboard the plane on his way back from Armenia to Vatican.

During the press conference, he reflected on his three-day trip to Armenia, his upcoming trips to Azerbaijan and Poland, the role of the Pope emeritus, Christian unity, and the reformation.
Pope Francis was asked about his feelings, impressions from his three-day trip to Armenia and his message for the future of Armenia.

“Well, let’s think to the future and then let’s go to the past. I hope for justice and peace for this people and I pray for this, because it is a courageous people. And I pray that they find justice and peace. I know that so many are working for this; and also I was very happy last week when I saw a photograph of President Putin with the two Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents… at least they’re speaking!

“And also with Turkey and the president of the republic in his welcoming speech spoke clearly, he had the courage to say: let’s come to an agreement, forgive each other, and look to the future. And this is a great courage for a people who has suffered so much, no?

“It’s the icon of the Armenian people. This came to me today while I was praying a bit…  A people who has suffered so much in its history and only the faith has kept it on its feet, because the fact is that it was the first Christian nation, this isn’t sufficient! It was the first Christian nation because the Lord blessed it.
“Let’s go to the first [question] now. If I had so many contacts with the Armenians… I went often with them to Masses, I have many Armenian friends… One thing that I usually don’t like to do for rest, but I would go to dinner with them and you have heavy dinners, eh! But, very good friends, no?

“More important than belonging to the Apostolic Church or the Catholic Church, is the “Armenism”, and I understood this in those times,” the Pope said.

To remind, during the welcoming ceremony of the Pope, on June 24, President Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech, which reads, “We don’t look for culprits. We don’t spread accusations. We simply want things to be called by their names, as it will allow two neighboring peoples to move towards genuine reconciliation and a shared prosperous future by recognizing the past and embracing forgiveness and a clean conscience”.