Pope Francis greets thousands of refugees brought to Europe by Christian charities, recognising their difficult journeys and hailing their desire to "live free from fear and insecurity". At the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, the 86-year-old pontiff also thanks those who helped the refugees settle into their new lives, saying that "welcome is the first step towards peace". The audience included many of the 6,000 people who have been helped to secure asylum in Europe through charity-organised humanitarian corridors since 2016, initiated by the Catholic Sant'Egidio community. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES