During his visit to Mavrovouni migrants camp in Lesbos, Greece, a migrant leaned over the barricade to give Pope Francis a warm embrace.
Migrants gather outside their tents before the visit of Pope Francis at the Karatepe refugee camp, on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. Pope Francis is returning to Lesbos, the Greek island that was at the heart of a massive wave of migration into Europe six years ago, after making pointed criticism of European governments on the handling of the crisis during a visit to two hard-hit countries.
It was Francis’ second trip to Lesbos in five years. He lamented that little had changed since 2016, when Lesbos was at the heart of a massive wave of migration to Europe and when Francis brought 12 Syrian MuslimThat concrete gesture of solidarity had raised hopes among current residents of the Lesbos camp, some of whom have given birth to children here while waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. But there were no papal airlifts on Sunday and Francis returns to the Vatican on Monday.
During the first leg of Francis’ trip in Cyprus, the Vatican announced that 12 migrants who had crossed over from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north would be relocated to Italy in the coming weeks. Cypriot officials, who say the European Union island nation can't accept more migrants, said a total of 50 would eventually be sent.
“It is the strong message of hope and responsibility that is conveyed from Lesbos to the international community,” she said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope Francis Calls On Europe to Welcome Migrants During Refugee Camp VisitThe pope met with asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesbos, on the fourth day of a five-day visit to Greece and Cyprus that has highlighted migration, one of the signature issues of the current pontificate.
Read more »
Pope Francis warns about 'retreat from democracy' and 'populism's easy answers'The pontiff also criticized politicians who were in 'an obsessive quest for popularity' and making unrealistic promises.
Read more »
Pope returns to Greek isle at heart of Europe migrant debate | AP NewsLESBOS, Greece (AP) — Pope Francis returns Sunday to Lesbos, the Greek island at the heart of a massive wave of migration into Europe six years ago, after pointedly criticizing European governments on their current handling of migrants and refugees during a visit to two hard-hit countries.
Read more »
Protesting Orthodox priest heckles Pope on Greece visit | AP NewsATHENS, Greece (AP) — Pope Francis was heckled by an elderly Greek Orthodox priest on Saturday as he arrived for a meeting with the head of the country’s Orthodox Church, evidence of the lingering distrust between some Orthodox and Catholics 1,200 years after Christianity was cleaved in half.
Read more »