Fr. Lombardi said the subject of the mixed historic commission and the historical archives mentioned by Turkey’s president Erdogan is interesting.
The Vatican has taken stock of the criticisms Turkey directed at the Pope after Francis’ words on the Armenian “genocide”, adding it does not wish to enter into arguments. Through its spokesman, the Vatican defined the comment which the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan made yesterday about potentially opening the archives and creating a joint commission on the events of 1915 as “interesting”.
“We have taken a very precise and coherent line and I would like to continue along this line,” said Fr. Federico Lombardi in answer to journalists’ questions put to him during a briefing on the reform of the Roman Curia.
“What the Pope said seems as clear as day to me: he said it, he articulated it, he referred to the joint declaration made by John Paul II and Karekin, that is, he used the term genocide in continuity with a previous use of the word, he underlined the historical context, recalling the Armenian genocide which was one of many other terrible things that occurred last century and which are still occurring today. His message was this: let us take stock of history so as to have an appropriate attitude that will allow us to go on ensuring that such acts are not repeated. His message was very clear for those who wanted to embrace it and included a positive reference to his hopes for a reconciliation and dialogue between the Turkish people and the Armenian people. This needed no further explanations from me or anyone else: we take stock of any reactions, objections and criticisms from Turkey, but we did not think it was the case to start an argument or to bicker. We take stock of the fact that there were reactions.”
“I found the subject of the mixed historical commission and the historical archives which Erdogan mentioned interesting. I think that, in relation to this, Sunday’s event gave a further strong impulse for a reflection, in line also with the Pope’s vision, that encompasses the present day too and can be a lesson for history and for today with the intention and wish for further reflection and dialogue.” Yesterday the Turkish President commented on the Pope’s words, saying amongst other things: “Hereby I want to repeat our call to establish a joint commission of historians and stress we are ready to open our archives.” Fr. Lombardi did not comment further on any other parts of Erdogan’s statement (“I want to warn the pope to not repeat this mistake and condemn him”). More in general, he said, “we do not wish to enter into arguments, we take stock of the criticisms made”.
