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The Armenian Weekly (18 June 2024)

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and Pope Francis I discussed the return of the [Armenian population to Karabakh] and the release of Armenian [prisoners] from Azerbaijani captivity in a meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday, June 12.

During the meeting, Catholicos Aram I expressed his deep gratitude for the solidarity Pope Francis has shown regarding the [Karabakh] issue and urged him to show the same support regarding the return of the [Armenian population to Karabakh] under international protection and the swift release of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan. His Holiness also discussed these concerns with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher and the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.

It is worth noting that a few weeks ago, in a letter to the spiritual head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, Catholicos Aram I requested that the Patriarch — given their long-standing personal friendship — intervene with the president of Russia. He asked Patriarch Kirill to work towards the release of Armenian [prisoners] in Azerbaijan and to ensure the preservation of Armenia’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

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