Ukraine war: Britons taking in Ukrainian refugees 'profoundly moving', says Prince Charles in Easter message
Prince Charles said he feels moved by the number of people who are willing to open their doors to some of the millions of refugees "wounded by the past, fearful of the future" in his Easter message.
It comes after more than 200,000 people in Britain have expressed an interest in opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees under the government's Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.
The royal highlighted the plight of those left behind in the war-torn country as they continue to seek sanctuary - following in the footsteps of millions who have managed to flee the Russian invasion.
He said he had found it "profoundly moving" to see the numbers of people across the UK willing to invite those in need into their homes after meeting "innocent victims of conflict" over the years himself.
Charles also nodded to the role his late father the Duke of Edinburgh played during the many Maundy services he attended, when he would "read the Gospel which tells how on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus knelt before his disciples and washed their travel-weary feet".
The Prince of Wales said in his message: "Today, millions of people find themselves displaced, wearied by their journey from troubled places, wounded by the past, fearful of the future - and in need of a welcome, of rest and of kindness.
"Over the past years, I have found myself heartbroken at the sufferings of the innocent victims of conflict, or persecution, some of whom I have met and who have told me stories of unutterable tragedy as they have been forced to flee their country and seek shelter far from home.
"But amidst all this sadness and inhumanity, it has been profoundly moving to see how so many people are ready to open their homes to those in need, and how they have offered their time and their resources to help those facing such soul-destroying sorrow and hardship."
In March, Charles and his wife Camilla visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in central London to show their solidarity with Ukraine by lighting a candle for the nation, as well as its community in London.
Concluding his message, Charles said: "This Easter, as always, we are reminded of Our Lord's timeless example of goodness in the face of suffering, of courage in the face of fear, of faith in the face of despair. His light triumphed in that dark time.
"I pray with all my heart that his inspiring example might help us all dispel the darkness of the world."
