Pope prays for end to ‘sacrilegious’ war in Ukraine and urges kindness to refugees

Francis has used his visit to Malta to drive home his call for Europe to show the same welcome to migrants and refugees that the Maltese showed St Paul

Pope Francis arrives in Granaries Square in Floriana, Malta (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis prayed for an end to the “sacrilegious” war in Ukraine and urged the world to show kindness and compassion to refugees as he concluded a two-day visit to Malta that was dominated by his concern for the devastation unleashed by Russia’s invasion.

Though short, the trip has been particularly taxing for the 85-year-old pontiff, who is suffering from painful strained right knee ligaments. He repeatedly struggled to get out of his chair on Sunday, and his limp due to sciatica was so pronounced that he frequently had to grab on to the arm of an aide.