Ambassador from Armenia on Address of Pope Francis
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis gave his first annual address to the Diplomatic Corps
accredited to the Holy See on Monday. In his speech, the Holy Father expressed his
concern over the conflict in Syria, saying it was “unacceptable” that unarmed civilians
become targets. Pope Francis also praised those countries which has welcomed refugees
from the crisis into their borders. “In recent months, tens of thousands of those
Armenians fled to the Republic of Armenia to escape horrors and violence and we understand
probably better than any other the drama of this situation that the Pope has vigorously
denounced since his election,” said Mikayel Minasyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to
the Holy See. “The Armenian government highly praises the efforts of the Holy Father
directed to the enhancement of peace in Syria and truly hopes that the Geneva 2 Conference,
mentioned also by the Pope in his speech, could be a turning point,” he told Vatican
Radio. “We believe that conflicts are better settled through dialogue,” Minasyan
continued. “We share on this matter the same position of the Holy See, that only a
negotiated agreement can lead to a durable peace.” Ambassador Minasyan is the first
Armenian Ambassador to the Holy See to be resident in Rome. “The decision of the
Armenian President to open a permanent diplomatic mission in Rome, accredited to the
Holy See, outlines the importance that we attach to the mutually shared values and
concerns and is a direct recognition of the diplomatic role of the Holy See in the
world,” he said. Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Ambassador
Minasyan: