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