Francis

Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kiev should "have the courage to raise the white flag".

A Vatican court convicted two environmental activists of aggravated damage on June 10 and ordered them to pay more than 28,000 euros in restitution after they glued their hands to the base of an ancient statue in the Vatican Museums in a protest to draw attention to climate change.

"Bulgaria believes that the Republic of North Macedonia will be a full member of the European Union based on its own contribution. We believe that they will fulfill the conditions of membership and should not waste time, because the worst thing is to waste time that will turn into skepticism.

President Nataša Pirc Musar met Pope Francis at the end of a busy four-day visit to Italy and the Vatican that she opened by meeting President Sergio Mattarella. Ukraine and calls for dialogue topped the agenda.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky secured fresh promises of military aid during weekend visits to France and Germany to boost his nation's weapons stockpile ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive against Russia.

Day 445 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin early Sunday for talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict.

The United Nations wants an end to the war in Ukraine in accordance with international law, said Stphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary General, as part of his comments on the delivery of British long-range "Storm Shadow" missiles to the Ukrainian army.

But most people in Hungary wondered why exactly Budahazy was chosen to be the lucky recipient.

"Pope Francis last month returned to Greece the Parthenon marbles held by the Vatican museums for some 100 years. It's high time Britain followed the Argentinian pontiff's example.