The Syrian refugees will be hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
As the Pope shook the hands of refugees at Lesbos’ Moria camp, word circulated that Francis could be taking about 10 or so refugees currently living on Lesbos, back to the Vatican with him. 12 are in fact going to be boarding the papal plane to Rome this afternoon and will be hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
In a conversation with journalists on board the flight from Lesbos to Rome, Francis said: “The 12 Syrian Muslims we’re bringing back to Rome all have their papers in order.” In Europe “ghettos” are back but “we need to integrate. Still, I understand those who have certain fears”. And he added: “I would invite arms traffickers to spend a day in that refugee camp. I think it would do them good”. About his brief exchange with Sanders this morning, he said: “If someone thinks greeting someone means getting mixed up in politics, I suggest they see a psychiatrist”.
The Pope, Bartholomew and Ieronymos have met refugees at Moria refugee camp: “We have come to call the attention of the world to this grave humanitarian crisis and to plead for its resolution”.
The joint declaration signed by Francis, Bartholomew and Ieronymos reads: “The tragedy of forced migration and displacement affects millions, and is fundamentally a crisis of humanity, calling for a response of solidarity, compassion, generosity and an immediate practical commitment of resources.” The text is an appeal to the international community. Leaders “urge all countries” to “extend temporary asylum, to offer refugee status to those who are eligible”.
Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media Fr. Rif’at Bader has said that "it is no strange to have the Hashemites play a leading role and demonstrate generosity since this the characteristic of the great.” He pointed out that at the time when His Majesty the King rushes to rescue Al Aqsa Mosque and to provide material support to the mosque located in Jerusalem, the brethren in Palestine express pride that they have a backing, a refuge, and someone viewing them with care.
On board the flight from Rome to the Greek island of Lesbos, the Pope said: “We are going to witness first-hand the greatest humanitarian catastrophe since World War II”. Prime Minister Tsipras thanked the Pope for his “welcoming words at a time when other Christian leaders in Europe are raising barriers” Greek government sources say that upon his return to the Vatican Bergoglio may take ten or so refugees with him.
According to the Archbishop of Agrigento (Italy), Cardinal Montenegro, the Pope will leave his mark with his visit to the Greek island too; he is among the few who have realised that the history of the world is changing. Europe is the home of people’s rights and cannot act as it is doing. Italy too, would be a poorer place without migrants. It is wrong and unfair to say that every migrant could be a potential terrorist, in fact their wars are caused partly by the need to fulfil our interests
At today’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said he will be going "along with my brothers the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos”, “to express sympathy and solidarity with refugees and the citizens of Lesbos and all the Greek people who are so generous in their welcome”. In his catechesis he recalled: “There is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future”.
At this morning’s mass in St. Martha’s House, on April 13, Pope Francis said persecution has always been the “daily bread” of Christians. This persecution is either violent or is the “white-glove” kind, in other words isolation and the inability to contest “laws” that go against the Creator.
Accounts of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. A journey to Jordan’s poorest province, to a hospital run by the Comboni missionaries.
