YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis has called for the release of prisoners of war.

According to a press release by the Armenian Embassy in the Vatican, during an annual meeting with the diplomatic corps in the Vatican, attended by the Armenian Ambassador, Pope Francis addressed ongoing conflicts in various regions, and said: “Particularly I am thinking about the ongoing situation in South Caucasus. I am calling on the parties to respect the ceasefire, and I am reiterating that the release of prisoners of war and detained civilians will be an important step for the highly desired peace treaty.”

Azerbaijan is still holding Armenian POWs in violation of the terms of the 2020 ceasefire agreement.