Pope appeals for dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

ArmInfo.Pope Francis appeals to the international community to favour mediation between Azerbaijan  and Armenia as tens of thousands of Armenians flee the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, and he prays for victims of a massive explosion in the city of Stepanakert, Vatican News reports. 

Speaking during the Sunday Angelus he said: "I renew my call for  dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hoping that the talks  between the parties, with the support of the international community,  will favour a lasting agreement that will put an end to the  humanitarian crisis."

A lightning offensive last week led by Azerbaijan in the contested  enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh has led to an exodus of Armenian  residents in the area after Baku ordered the region's Armenian  fighters to disarm and conflicting leaders signed a ceasefire  agreement.

Armenian authorities said over 100,000 people had arrived in Armenia  from the enclave, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the  enclave's Armenian population. The two sides have been locked in  conflict for three decades accusing each other of attacks, massacres  and other atrocities.

In December 2022, Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only  road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, accusing the Armenian  government of using it for illicit weapons shipments to the region's  'separatist' forces.

Prayers for victims of explosion in Stepanakert

Pope Francis also said he is praying for the victims of a tragic  accident in the city of Stepanakert which serves as the de facto  capital of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabackh.

"I assure you of my prayers for the victims of an explosion in a fuel  depot near the town of Stepanakert," he said.

At least 170 people are known to have died in the explosion and  hospitals are struggling to treat the 290 people injured in the blast  the after blockade in December left them with severe shortages of  medical supplies. Some of the injured have now been evacuated by  Armenian helicopters.

It is not yet clear what caused the explosion on the evening of  September 25.