Pope Francis has been handed the flag of Ukraine from Bucha.

"Ever more horrendous cruelties [are occurring], even against civilians, women, and helpless children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and implores. May this war cease! May weapons fall silent. Stop sowing death and destruction," the Vatican News agency quotes the pontiff as saying at a general audience on Wednesday.

He also invited everyone to pray in silence for a moment to ask God for this intention.

The Pope said that on Tuesday he had received a Ukrainian flag from the town of Bucha.

"The flag came from war, from that martyred city of Bucha. These children had to flee, and have come to a strange land. This is one of the fruits of war. Let us not forget them, and let us not forget the Ukrainian people, "he said.