Pope Francis hails release of servicemen by Azerbaijan, Armenia

Pope Francis has said that he is pleased with the release of Armenian and Azerbaijani servicemen and expressed hope for the speedy conclusion of a peace treaty.

He made the remarks during his traditional Sunday sermon, according to Report.

"I am pleased with the release of a significant number of Armenian and Azerbaijani" military personnel, and "look with great hope at this positive signal for relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said.

"I urge the parties and their leaders to conclude a peace treaty as soon as possible," the pontiff added.

As a result of the negotiations held between the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister's Office of the Republic of Armenia, in the spirit of commitment to the principle of humanism, as a measure of mutual trust between the two countries, as an indicator of goodwill, an agreement was reached on the release of 32 persons of Armenian origin by Azerbaijan and two Azerbaijani servicemen by Armenia.