In Greece, the Pope calls for integration of migrants into European society
Pope Francis's visit to Lesbos. Photo: vaticannews.va
During a visit to the Reception and Identification Centre of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis expressed solidarity with the refugees who did not find a safe and dignified life in their homeland, reports vaticannews.va.
The head of the Catholic Church said that there are many in Europe who do not want to solve the problem of refugees, driven to extremes.
“We need to fight the distant causes, not the poor people who pay for their consequences and are used in political propaganda,” said Pope Francis.
The Pope thanked the Greeks for their help and assistance to the refugees and wished that "the Blessed Virgin would open our eyes to the suffering of our neighbours so that she would help us to recognize in people God's children, sisters and brothers who need to be accepted, protected, supported and integrated."
This is the second visit of Pope Francis to Lesbos. In April 2016, the pontiff visited the largest migrant camp in Europe, Moria, in Lesbos, which was completely burned down in 2020.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that on the island of Lesbos, migrants destroyed and desecrated an Orthodox church and filmed it.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.