Tiziana Fabi, AFP | Pope Francis at the balcony of St Peter's basilica, on December 25, 2018 at St Peter's square in Vatican.

Pope Francis on Sunday urged EU leaders to show “concrete solidarity” with 49 migrants stranded on NGO ships off the coast of Malta who have been refused permission to land.

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“Forty nine migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by two NGO ships have been onboard for several days now, waiting to be able to disembark,” Francis told thousands of people gathered in Saint Peter’s square in Rome.

“I address a pressing appeal to European leaders that they show some concrete solidarity with respect to these people,” he added.

Amid growing concern over the plight of the migrants, some of whom have been at sea for more than two weeks, the European Commission earlier this week called on EU member states to admit them.

One of our guests jumped into the water, trying to reach #Malta. Few minutes later, he was back on board - he knew that it wouldn't work.

They have been at sea for over 14 days, they have months of detention in #Libya behind them. This is what desperation looks like. #United4Med pic.twitter.com/fRVkjbpU3Q Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) 4 January 2019

The Netherlands and Germany have offered to take some but only if their EU partners do the same, highlighting again the European Union’s long-running deadlock over sharing responsibility for migrants.

There are 17 people on board the German NGO Sea-Eye vessel, with another 32 on the Sea-Watch. Among them are a one-year-old baby and two children aged six and seven.

Both Italy and Malta have refused port access and on Sunday they reiterated that position.

“In Italy, there are no more arrivals. That is the line and it will not change,” hardline Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told the Il Messaggero newspaper.

“Italian ports are closed and will remain so,” he added in a tweet.

(AFP)

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