Catholicos Karekin II discusses POW issue with Pope Francis
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, met with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Wednesday, the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin reported.
During the meeting, Catholicos Karekin II touched upon the disastrous consequences of the 44-day war and the current challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh.
He particularly highlighted the issue of the release of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and other captives being held in Azerbaijan.
The Armenian religious leader also expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for supporting the Armenian people during the war.
The Armenian delegation led by Karekin II also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The sides discussed issues related to the security of the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s continued encroachment on Armenia’s sovereign territory, as well as the preservation of Armenian religious and cultural heritage in the territories under Azerbaijan’s control.