Concealing or denying atrocities is like a bleeding wound that has not been bandaged: What did Pope Francis say about the Genocide?
Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia, who personally met with Pope Francis, shared with RIA Novosti before the conclave the “clear and unequivocal” stance of the late pope regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As noted, Pope Francis compared the denial to “a bleeding wound.”
“Pope Francis expressed a clear and unequivocal position on the Armenian Genocide. His words, both in official statements and during his visit to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, were full of deep compassion. He emphasized that ‘concealing or denying atrocities is like a bleeding wound that has not been bandaged,’ highlighting the importance of preserving the memory of the horrific massacre as a necessary condition for preventing similar tragedies in the future. During the visit, His Holiness the Bishop of Rome prayed at the memorial complex,” the archbishop told RIA Novosti.
According to him, Pope Francis met with the descendants of genocide survivors.
“He blessed them, gave them small souvenirs, and listened to brief stories about their families’ salvation. We observed the Catholic Church leader’s attention not only to historical truth but also to the living memory of the people. At the end of the visit, Pope Francis planted a fir tree in the Memory Alley of the memorial complex as a symbol of life and hope. The words ‘A peaceful future grows from memory’ are engraved on a nearby plaque. This was an important and responsible gesture, demonstrating acknowledgment of the tragedy, spiritual solidarity, and the understanding that the memory of the Armenian Genocide is not only a matter of historical justice but also a moral duty before humanity,” Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan concluded.
Pope Francis visited Armenia in 2016 at the invitation of His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II. It was during this visit that Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan met with the Bishop of Rome.
