Confusion about the electric potential

[Mr Genius]

Why the negative pole of a battery is said to be of higher potential? While if we a consider a DC battery of 12V (for instance) then we have Vpn=V (positive) -V (negative)=12V whish is a positive quantity, then we should conclude that Vp>Vn in contradiction to first statement!
Please illustrate this point.

 

[mfb]

Why the negative pole of a battery is said to be of higher potential?

Who says that?

Electrons have a higher potential energy there, but that is a different statement.

 

[Dale]

Why the negative pole of a battery is said to be of higher potential?

I have never heard anyone say that.