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.
“This visit is a little different from all the others. It is marked by sadness,” Francis said as he greeted journalists on the flight taking him from Rome to the Greek island of Lesbos.
“Apostolic visits are full of encounters but this visit is marked by sadness, it is a sad visit. We are going to witness first-hand the greatest humanitarian catastrophe since World War II.”
“We will come across many people who are suffering,” Francis went on to say, “who are forced to flee and do not know where to go. We are also going to visit a marine cemetery, in a sea where many, many people drowned.”
“I am not saying this to sadden you but because I hope your work today will get across my mood as I embark on this visit,” the Pope concluded.
Francis then greeted each of the journalists on board the plane one by one and recorded a video response in answer to a question put to him by a little boy, a relative of the correspondent from Catholic television channel TV2000.
Upon his arrival, Pope Francis was greeted by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with a handshake. The minute he got off the plane, at Mytilene international airport, the Pope was welcomed by the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew, the Orthodox Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos and Mgr. Fragiskos Ppamanolis, the President of the Greek Episcopla Conference.
In a private conversation with the Pope at the airport, Tsipras thanked Francis for his “messages against war” and for “his welcoming words at a time when other Christian leaders in Europe are raising barriers”.
The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, issued the following statement regarding the meeting which took place between the Greek Prime Minister and Pope Francis: “The main topic of conversation was the refugee and migrant crisis and more specifically the situation on the island of Lesbos. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the refugee crisis is a European and international problems which requires a collective response that respects European and international laws. The Pope expressed his appreciation for the humanity shown by the Greek people, who have shown solidarity and a commitment to universal values, despite the economic situation.” “Emphasis was also placed on the need to prevent people from risking their lives trying to cross the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean, combating human trafficking networks, eliminating dangerous routes and and developing safe procedures for settlement in Europe.”
According to Greek government sources, when Bergoglio leaves Lesbos to make his way back to the Vatican, he may take ten or so refugees with him. France Press claims he may host them int he Vatican.
