Pope Francis’ visit to Georgia is a call for peace in the region, said Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

He made the remarks at a press conference held following his meeting with Pope Francis, who is on a visit to Georgia.

Margvelashvili noted that Georgia is a country suffering from aggression, but it continues to take peaceful steps.

“Today we are living 40 kilometers from aggression. 20 percent of our territories are still under occupation,” said the president. “Our main goal is to return to our occupied lands. People should not suffer because of the political situation.”