Archbishop Charles Scicluna gave start to the upcoming holy week leading up to Good Friday and Easter with a call for a spiritual union and prayers for Ukrainians fleeing from war.

In celebration of Palm Sunday, Scicluna delivered a special mass at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

"This holy week we will not forget our Ukrainian brothers and sisters," Scicluna said. He called for a nation-wide spiritual union to pray for and help "Ukrainians who have become victims of cruel and strange decisions of inhumane rulers with obscure interests," he said.

He dedicated a solemn moment to the suffering of Ukrainians.

Scicluna spoke about the great sacrifice Jesus suffered crucified on the cross. "God's mission for Jesus was to deliver and save the people, rather than himself," Scicluna said.

He spoke about the challenge Jesus faced in saving himself rather than others, and Scicluna said that this is the hour of darkness. Scicluna said that with the will and power of love given to Jesus by God, he could then sacrifice himself to save the people.

Ultimately, the power of love overcomes death in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Scicluna said.

The Archbishop said that it is the interest of solely obtaining power which is what breaks man. He called upon the audience to show humility as Jesus did by sacrificing himself on the cross.

Scicluna blessed the audience and blessed the olive and palm branches in representation of Palm Sunday.