The co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish “Peoples’ Democratic Party” (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas, who is also an ex-presidential candidate, reflected on the matter of Pope Francis’ recent statement on recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Demirtas criticized the Turkish authorities’ reaction to important announcements linked to the genocide, reported Agos Armenian bilingual weekly of Istanbul.

“The [Turkish] authorities should have explored the realities that had previously taken place. The Pope says something, and these [authorities] respond like a child; it’s difficult to understand.

“Explain to the [Turkish] public how to face the Armenian reality! This is a topic that officially should be clarified. The matter will not be resolved by stating that you don’t accept the Pope,” Selahattin Demirtas said, in particular.