A former Turkish envoy to the Vatican has told Anadolu Agency that he is "concerned" about Ankara's relations with the Holy See after Pope Francis' Armenian "genocide" remarks.

Kenan Gürsoy described the Pope's statement, made during Sunday's Mass at the St. Peter's Basilica, as "a disappointment."

During the religious service, which was attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Pope Francis said the deaths of Armenian people in 1915 were widely regarded as the "first genocide" of the 20th century.

The Argentinian pontiff also included the WWI deaths with other 20th century mass killings that took place in Rwanda, Cambodia, Burundi and Bosnia.

His comments led to Ankara recalling its ambassador from the Vatican.

Gürsoy, who served as Turkey's ambassador to the Vatican between 2009 and 2014 said the Holy See "did not understand Turkey's sensitivity on the 1915 incidents," adding, "The pope acts like there is only one truth about the 1915 incidents. I am worried about the future of Turkey-Vatican relations."

Although Pope Francis prayed for the "path of reconciliation," Gürsoy thinks "it is not possible to build reconciliation by supporting one side and offending the other side."

The diplomatic spat came soon after April 11, which marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Vatican.

"I think Turkey is offended; the Turkish people are offended. He (Pope Francis) needs to feel that. The Turkish Republic is not an ordinary state. Turkey has a rooted past, has rooted traditions. It cannot be underestimated, nor can its sensitivities," Gürsoy added.