Pope Francis puts on bracelet from Azovstal and kisses Ukrainian flag

Pope Francis has put on the iconic bracelet made of Azovstal steel, where the defenders of Mariupol heroically held the line, which has become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience

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.