Pope Francis praises Orban over Ukrainian refugees

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 21 - Pope Francis highlighted Hungary's efforts to protect refugees arriving from Ukraine during a 40-minute audience with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday, the Vatican press office said.
    The Argentine pontiff gave Orban a medallion depicting St Martin during the closed-doors meeting inside the Vatican.
    "God bless you, your family and Hungary," Francis said in English at the end the meeting.
    For his part, Orban invited the pope to visit Hungary, saying "we're waiting for you".
    In the past the pope had been critical of the type of hard line policies Orban has adopted with refugees and migrants from other parts of the world, calling for asylum seekers to be received with open arms.
    In September Francis paid flying visit of a few hours to Budapest for the concluding Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress while on the way to three-day trip to Slovakia. (ANSA).