Italian PM: Pope sent a clear message
Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is in the United States on a two-day official visit. During a meeting with students of Georgetown University in Washington, the Italian PM spoke about the process of the EU expansion and the reforms for the next 20 years. He also answered students’ questions. One of them concerned the relations between Turkey and the Vatican, which was asked by a Turk student, CnnTurk reports. Before asking the question, the student reminded that Pope Francis described the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians as “the first genocide of the 20th century” during a Vatican Mass on Sunday. The Italian PM said his country has a clear position on the issue. “Pope Francis made a distinct address regarding the events which took place 100 years ago and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed its position in connection with Turkey’s reaction. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu gave a sharp response and our FM Paolo Gentiloni criticized the Turkish government for this.”
