Pope to meet refugees in Orban's Hungary

Pope Francis, on a three-day visit to Hungary, is meeting refugees from across the world on Saturday as many struggle under nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policies.

On his arrival Friday, the 86-year-old Argentine in his first speech to Orban and other government officials stressed "the need for openness towards others", warning against "withdrawing into oneself".

Hungary's government -- in a departure from its usual anti-refugee stand -- has welcomed those fleeing the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

But activists say there is barely a support system in place, while Orban's insistence on maintaining ties with Moscow puts off Ukrainians.

About a thousand refugees and poor people are expected to gather at St. Elizabeth's Church in Budapest, according to the Vatican.

'Demolished' system 

During an audience last year at the Vatican, Francis thanked Orban for welcoming Ukrainian refugees.

Since Russia invaded its neighbour more than a year ago, more than two million Ukrainians have crossed into Hungary, but just 35,000 have applied for the EU's temporary protection status in the country.

That's far fewer than in other countries just west of Ukraine.

Within the EU, Hungary's prime minister is an exception in refusing to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin by name after Moscow invaded.

He is also refusing to send military aid to Ukraine and has blasted EU sanctions against Russia -- making many Ukrainian refugees feel uncomfortable.

They also face a "demolished" refugee support system, according to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) rights group.

Since 2020, after the EU forced Budapest to close controversial so-called border transit zones that Brussels called "detention camps", Budapest only accepts asylum seekers' applications at Hungarian embassies abroad.

This has slowed the number of asylum seekers to a trickle.

On Saturday, those gathering include people from Ukraine, but also from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria and other countries.

HHC said an Iranian man "who fled persecution for his Christian faith" with his 12-year-old son would meet the pope.