Pope Francis welcomed refugees arriving in Europe in humanitarian corridors and listened to some of their stories, before saying that integration “is part of the rescue.”
Pope Francis today received many refugees who arrived in Europe through humanitarian corridors and listened to some of their stories, later stating that integration “is part of the rescue”.
“Each one of you deserves attention for the harsh history you lived through. In particular, I want to remember those who went through the detention camps in Libya,” the pontiff said during the audience in the Paul VI Hall, a huge Vatican pavilion.
The refugees managed to reach Italy thanks to the humanitarian corridor program of the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Catholic and Evangelical churches and the Protestant Mesa Valdesa, a system praised by the Pope.
“Humanitarian corridors not only aim to bring refugees to Italy and other European countries, freeing them from a situation of uncertainty, danger and endless waiting,” he explained.
“They also work for their integration and that is important because integration is part of their rescue,” added Francisco.
The Pope listened to the stories of some immigrants who participated in the audience, such as Maskaran and his family, who arrived “from the hell of Libya”, according to what he said.
Or Anna, a Christian from the Syrian city of Aleppo who, after years of war and destruction, decided to leave the country with her newborn daughter in search of peace.
The Pope also recalled the “terrible” case of a refugee who took three years to reach Spain.
Source: Observadora
