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
Serbian Patriarch offers condolences over murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church called Sviatohirsk Lavra a refuge for the displaced and urged that the monk’s violent death not be turned into anyone’s weapon.
“Never seen before”: Israel reports record number of Hasidim in Uman
According to an Israeli police representative, 52,000 pilgrims are currently in Uman – 10,000 more than last year. The city itself has a population of about 75,000.
UOC faithful hold prayer vigil outside Lavra for more than 1,000 days
For three and a half years, Orthodox Christians have continued praying for peace and for the preservation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Zelensky congratulates Jews on Rosh Hashanah
Volodymyr Zelensky wished Jews peace and the triumph of good over evil.
Kyiv Theological Academy publishes book on Orthodoxy in 17th-century Ukraine
With the blessing of the UOC Primate, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has published a textbook marking the 430th anniversary of the birth of St. Petro Mohyla.
45,000 Hasidic pilgrims arrive in Uman
Around 45,000 Hasidic pilgrims have already arrived in Ukraine for Rosh Hashanah.