The Pope thanked the Russian Ambassador for facilitating the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine

Russian Ambassador to the Holy See Alexander Avdeev conveyed New Year greetings to Pope Francis from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, he received a mutual greeting from the pontiff, as well as gratitude for his assistance in the exchange of prisoners between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, transmits TASS.

“I conveyed greetings from the President of the Russian Federation to Pope Francis, he conveyed a return greeting and thanked him for his assistance in carrying out the exchange of prisoners [между РФ и Украиной]”, – said Avdeev.

In November, the diplomat spoke about the role of the Pope in the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. According to Avdeev, the exchange takes place taking into account the lists that the pontiff regularly provides to the embassy.

The day before, January 8, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported on the return of 50 Russian servicemen from captivity. According to the department, they were in mortal danger in Ukrainian captivity. The Russian military will be airlifted to Moscow, the ministry added.

Before that, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners on December 31, 2022. Then the Russian Defense Ministry announced the return of 82 Russian military men.

Pope Francis has previously spoken out more than once about the fighting in Ukraine. In December last year he named this conflict became a world war and added that he did not expect it to end anytime soon. On December 25, in his traditional Christmas address Urbi et Orbi – “To the City and the World” in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, he urged end the conflict in Ukraine, as well as remember all the protracted conflicts in other countries.