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
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.
His Beatitude celebrates Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in Feofania
The Primate of the UOC led the Great Lenten service and blessed the koliva in the capital's monastery.
A third of young Christians in USA trust "spiritual advice" from AI, study
A Barna Group study showed: one-third of American Christians believe that AI provides advice that is no less reliable than that of a pastor.
UOC bishop celebrates Lenten service in persecuted parish of Khmelnytskyi
Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi prayerfully supported the believers of the Dormition community, who lost their church as a result of seizure by OCU followers.
Ministry of Culture seeks UNESCO assistance to preserve a church in Lavra
Ukraine’s authorities have appealed to UNESCO to preserve the Church of All Saints above the Economic Gate.