Pope Francis puts on bracelet from Azovstal and kisses Ukrainian flag

The Mariupol City Council reported the information and published a photo of the pontiff.

"Pope Francis has a bracelet made of Azovstal steel! Together with the bracelet, he was given a list of captured Mariupol defenders and captured women of Mariupol, including civilians," the statement reads.

The Pope was also asked to "add the voice of the Vatican for their immediate release."

According to a Facebook post by Natalia Yemchenko, Communications Director at System Capital Management, Pope Francis wore the bracelet in solidarity with the Ukrainian people on the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The pontiff also kissed the flag of Ukraine, thus expressing support for the country, which has been resisting Russian aggression for a year.

• On February 22, Pope Francis, speaking two days before the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, called for peace talks.