Pope describes part he played in Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap

VATICAN CITY, Holy See — Pope Francis played a part in the release of some 300 Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia, he said in an interview published Thursday in a Jesuit magazine.

Francis said he had received "Ukrainian emissaries" at the Vatican, including a military chief who brought with him a list "of more than 300 prisoners."

"They asked me to do something so that an exchange could be made," the pope said according to a transcript of the September 15 interview published by the Italian Jesuit magazine Civilta Cattolica.

"I immediately called the Russian ambassador to see if something could be done, if an exchange of prisoners could be expedited," he added, without providing any further details.

Ukraine on September 22 announced the exchange of a record-high 215 imprisoned soldiers with Russia, including fighters who led the defense of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks.

Russia received 55 prisoners in what was the biggest exchange between the warring sides since the start of Russia's invasion in February.

Francis has been trying since the start of the invasion to open a path of dialogue with Moscow, while condemning a "cruel and senseless war." — Agence France-Presse