Pope Francis is planning a trip to Armenia in June, a year after he termed the Ottoman-era slaughter of Armenians a genocide.
Pope Francis may be going to Armenia, Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Friday. “A trip by the pope to Armenia is being assessed,” he said, adding that the most likely period was “the second half of June.”
“There is not yet a finalized programme, not certain dates,” said Lombardi, reports.
Fr. Lombardi said a final survey of the sites by organisers on the Vatican side has not yet taken place and there is no definitive programme for this visit approved by the Pope.
His comments came after some media outlets reported a visit by Pope Francis to Armenia would take place from the 22nd to the 26th of June. Fr. Lombardi said those dates were not correct and it would be best to await final decisions to avoid creating confusion, Radio Vatican reported.