Pope condemns Putin over Russia’s ‘infantile’ war in Ukraine

Pope Francis, center, with, from left, Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela, with daughter Giorgia Mae, and Malta’s President George William Vella, right, looks at a cheering crowd from a balcony of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, Malta, Saturday, April 2, 2022. Pope Francis headed to the Mediterranean island nation of Malta on Saturday for a pandemic-delayed weekend visit, aiming to draw attention to Europe’s migration challenge that has only become more stark with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis has said he is considering a visit to Kyiv as he condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching a “savage” war.

Speaking after his arrival in Malta, he delivered his most pointed and personalised denunciation yet of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.