Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli criticized on Saturday Pope Francis's comments on the deaths of Armenians in 1915 during his recent visit to Armenia, saying that the Pope's remarks have no relation to the truth and they reflect the mentality of crusaders.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Giresun province in the Black Sea region, Canikli said: "First of all, it is unfortunate that the Pope made such comments. Unfortunately, just like how the U.K.'s separation from the EU has exposed, or as it is seen in this situation, the activities of the Pope and the papacy bear the traces and reflections of the crusader mentality. The same goes for the Pope's remarks, as well."
"It is not an impartial remark. It has no relation to reality," Canikli said and added that the truth about the so-called 'genocide' is known by everyone, including the Armenians themselves.
Canikli also recalled the recent motion passed by the German parliament on recognizing the 1915 events as "genocide", saying these are political decisions that have no relation to historical facts.
"These comments are political explanations and are based on religious factors," he added.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called genocide against Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. While strengthening the propaganda of "genocide" in the world, Armenians achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries.