The Archbishop of Canterbury has decried the “terrible violence inflicted on innocent people in conflicts across the globe” during her pilgrimage in Rome .

Dame Sarah Mullally , while addressing a congregation in the Italian capital, also emphasised the importance of speaking up for and defending “the dignity and worth of every human being”, including refugees.

Her remarks come ahead of a scheduled meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican on Monday.

This visit occurs amidst recent public criticism directed at the pontiff by US President Donald Trump , who earlier this month branded the religious leader “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy” and demanded he “focus on being a great Pope, not a politician”.

The pontiff himself had used his first Easter message to strongly criticise war, calling on “those who have weapons (to) lay them down”.

Leo doubled down on his comments following Mr Trump’s criticism, warning during his recent four-nation Africa tour that the world is being “ravaged by a handful…