The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to take urgent action, saying that Hungary could "no longer be considered a democracy."

Hungary's parliament approved two anti-corruption reforms to unlock funding from the European Union. The EU has long-expressed rule of law and graft concerns about the illiberal government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Revelations about reported surveillance of journalists and politicians with spyware continue to surface in the European Union. Four EU member states have been accused of illegitimate snooping.

After months of buildup, the European Commission has backed withholding billions of EU funds from Hungary. Despite recent reforms, Budapest must do more to address risks to core democratic standards, EU officials say.

For years, Brussels has been at loggerheads with the Hungarian government over a host of issues – migrants, the rights of minorities, media freedoms, the independence of the justice system and, most recently, over Russia and Ukraine. Long-standing tensions are coming to a head as Hungary delays a proposed EU aid package to Ukraine, while the EU holds up billions of euros in funding to Hungary over rule-of-law concerns.

The EU has pledged to free a part of the funds earmarked for Hungary in exchange for Budapest allowing joint funding for Ukraine. Hungary has also announced it would start debating Finland's and Sweden's NATO membership.

Hungary's PM Orban personally accused of corruption: DW's Terri Schultz

The top human rights court in Europe has found Hungary guilty of violating the rights of a refugee who died in 2016. Hungary has one of the worst records on refugee protections in Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said cutting off relations with Russia would not be in the country's national interest. Hungary is heavily reliant on Russia for its energy needs.

Hungary wants to become a key producer of electric vehicle batteries. Government spending has attracted investments, including a new Chinese gigafactory.

The 86-year-old pontiff capped his trip to Hungary with a final Mass in Budapest on a sunny spring morning, with thousands having gathered for the blessing. He told people to fight the "closed doors" of nationalism.

The pope reiterated his calls for welcoming migrants after a meeting with nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He will also lead an open-air mass outside parliament on Sunday.