In the interview the Pope gave on board the flight from Armenia to Rome,on Sunday, June 26, he said: "Something isn't working in the EU, it needs creativity." Regarding the genocide, he commented: "I never intended to offend anyone with that word." When asked about the idea of establishing a "shared" papal ministry, he said: "Benedict XVI is an emeritus, but there is only one Pope." The commission that is to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons is ready but Francis puts the issue into perspective.

The joint declaration signed by the Pope and Karekin II talks about the "immense tragedy" of "countless innocent people" who are "killed, displaced or forced into a painful and uncertain exile by continuing conflicts on ethnic, economic, political and religious grounds"

In his speech to Armenia’s political authorities, the Pope invited national leaders to welcome the persecuted. He mentioned the “Great Evil”, the massacre of a million and a half Armenians at the hands of the Turks and spoke about “hatred, prejudice and the untrammelled desire for dominion”, calling for efforts to be made to resolve international conflicts through dialogue.The term “genocide” was absent in Francis’ prepared text but he added it.

The Latin Church of Jerusalem is to have another Italian as its head, as the former Custodian of the Holy Land has been appointed Apostolic Administrator “until the nomination of a new patriarch”. “I return with the desire to serve the local clergy and the community as a whole and I ask for everyone’s understanding, friendship and collaboration”. The announcement came while the Pope was on his way to Armenia.

The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan has denounced the cowardly terrorist act which took place today, June 21, on the northeastern border, leading to the martyrdom of several personnel of the heroic Jordan Armed Forces and security apparatuses who died while defending their homeland, their leadership, and their people.

A CCSM statement issued today, June 21, and signed by CCSM Director Fr. Rif'at Bader, said that terrorism reveals anew the extent of its barbarism, brutality as well as its disavowal of all humanitarian, religious and moral values.

In the greeting he pronounced at the Apostolic Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, the first stop on his visit to Armenia, the Pope explained that dialogue between Christians shows “society as a whole” “a concrete way to harmonize the conflicts that rend civil life”.

On the day following the stoning of the St. Theresa of Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Zarqa, the first Mass was celebrated in Marj Al Hamam, Amman, at the new Latin Patriarchate Church whose cornerstone was laid nearly 10 years ago.

A video message has been released ahead of the Pope’s visit to Armenia from Friday and Sunday: “We must not let painful memories take control of our hearts, nor must we tire of sending out a dove as Noah did”

Francis invited a group of refugees, who came to Rome with Caritas Florence, onto the stage during the Audience, on Wednesday, June 22, the final one before the summer break. “Christians do not exclude anyone,” the Pope said.

Pope Francis will visit a memorial to the Armenians slaughtered by the Ottoman empire in 1915, in what will be a diplomatically sensitive trip to the country which borders Turkey.

Francis is flying on Friday, June 24, to Armenia for a three day visit to the country which will see him release a flock of doves at the Armenian-Turkish border and visit the Tzitzernakaberd memorial to those killed a century ago in Yerevan.

It is unlikely, however, that the Pope will describe the massacre as a “genocide,” a term which is hotly contested by the Turks.