Pope Francis to take 12 Syrian refugees to the Vatican after Lesbos visit

[rooster59]

Pope Francis to take 12 Syrian refugees to the Vatican after Lesbos visit

By Sarah Joanne Taylor

Pope Francis is to take 12 Syrian refugees – including six children – back to the Vatican following a visit to the Moria migrant and refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. The Holy See’s press office confirmed the planned transfer of the three families.

During his trip, he echoed the calls of European leaders to unite to tackle the cause of the “dramatic” migrant situation, rather than simply “responding to emergencies as they arise.”

“We need to encourage political efforts that are broader in scope and multilateral. It is necessary, above all, to build peace where war has brought destruction and death, and to stop this scourge from spreading.

“To do this, resolute efforts must be made to counter the arms trade and arms trafficking, and the often hidden machinations associated with them; those who carry out acts of hatred and violence must be denied all means of support.”

People with faces, names, individual stories

He joined Turkey’s Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos of Greece on the Aegean island, which is currently sheltering thousands of extra people, many of whom have fled conflict in their home nations.

The Pontiff recognised the legitimacy of Europe’s concerns about the wave of people arriving, but added:
“We must never forget, however, that migrants, rather than simply being a statistic, are first of all people who have faces, names and individual stories. Europe is the homeland of human rights, and whoever sets foot on European soil ought to sense this, and thus become more aware of the duty to respect and defend those rights.”

‘Not political’

While the Vatican insists the trip was purely humanitarian and religious, rather than political, Francis did, once again, express hope that the first World Humanitarian Summit, which is due to take place in Istanbul in May, “will prove productive.”

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-04-17

[jaidam]

Such a worrying photograph. I would not wish my worst enemies child be adopted or cared for by elderly clergymen, for good reason.

[boomerangutang]

He gets to hand-pick a family and kids to take back. Umm, maybe ok. There are thousands of US families which are extremely eager to adopt kids. They'll pay $70,000 per kid. Do they get to go to a line up of refugees and pick which kids they want? No.

[shirtless]

Who cares these guys are greedy pricks that sell false hope. tax them

[NongKhaiKid]

Will they actually be housed in the Vatican which i sincerely doubt ? The local authority, like it or not, will be given responsibility.

It was a farce seeing Muslims at his feet begging for assistance then when re-settled will revert to type demanding mosques etc and imposing, demanding Islamic culture be introduced.

Look at the power they wield already in Britain for example where traditional culture such as the corner pub has been changed to suit them.

[boomerangutang]

Will they actually be housed in the Vatican which i sincerely doubt ? The local authority, like it or not, will be given responsibility.

It was a farce seeing Muslims at his feet begging for assistance then when re-settled will revert to type demanding mosques etc and imposing, demanding Islamic culture be introduced.

Look at the power they wield already in Britain for example where traditional culture such as the corner pub has been changed to suit them.

Yes, look at how divisive deism can be.

[simple1]

Will they actually be housed in the Vatican which i sincerely doubt ? The local authority, like it or not, will be given responsibility.

<snip>

Covered in a fair amount of detail at URL below and initially cared for by The Community of Sant'Egidio.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/pope-taking-12-syrian-refugees-from-lesbos/7332432

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_Sant'Egidio

[NongKhaiKid]

Will they actually be housed in the Vatican which i sincerely doubt ? The local authority, like it or not, will be given responsibility.

<snip>

Covered in a fair amount of detail at URL below and initially cared for by The Community of Sant'Egidio.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/pope-taking-12-syrian-refugees-from-lesbos/7332432

Thanks for that. Interesting situation and he really should keep out of this.

[BuaBS]

6 kids at the vatican ... why can't I keep the word "orgy" out of my mind....

[terryp]

well it is almost Beltane and fresh young blood is required

[NongKhaiKid]

All started a week before he arrived so all contrived not the spontaneous act it appeared to be and just a PR stunt.

With Merkel, Junker etc around Europe has enough problems without somebody of the Pope's standing jumping on the bandwagon and doing nothing to help with his narrow religious view which is usually lacking in reality and practicality.

[SOTIRIOS]

....the 'arms' that he speaks out against do not simply fall out of the sky....or rise up out of the earth....

...to pretend their sale is not organized.....and to blame 'unknown parties'.....is ridiculous.....

[JohnDodd]

I certainly hope those 6 children are well monitored, as at least 10,000 refugee children went missing while traversing Italy......there is something really weird about this creepy Jesuit "Pope".

[UPDEHSOI]

Such a worrying photograph. I would not wish my worst enemies child be adopted or cared for by elderly clergymen, for good reason.

Delete/omit the word "elderly" and I'm with you 100%.

[UPDEHSOI]

Will they actually be housed in the Vatican which i sincerely doubt ? The local authority, like it or not, will be given responsibility.

It was a farce seeing Muslims at his feet begging for assistance then when re-settled will revert to type demanding mosques etc and imposing, demanding Islamic culture be introduced.

Look at the power they wield already in Britain for example where traditional culture such as the corner pub has been changed to suit them.

Don't forget that "power wield" in the good ole USA and Canada also.

[RichardColeman]

I bet they wont convert to the religion that helped them ! Wonder if he is now building a mosque on the side of the Vatican ?

[billd766]

6 kids at the vatican ... why can't I keep the word "orgy" out of my mind....

Perhaps because you have a dirty mind.

Not everybody in the world thinks that way neither do the majority of the clergy.

You could look at the UK news over the past few months about a large number of (former/current) Pakistani citizens in a couple of cities in the northern part of the UK and get similar results but that may not suit your post as well.

No, I am not a member of ANY organised religion.

[billd766]

I certainly hope those 6 children are well monitored, as at least 10,000 refugee children went missing while traversing Italy......there is something really weird about this creepy Jesuit "Pope".

Do you think that he, personally, organised the disappearance of 10,000 children?

[granuaile]

The level of Islamophobia here is disgusting, and Pope Francis is one of the greatest religious figures today no matter what one's faith... Even though I'm not Catholic, I'm very proud of Pope Francis' example to the world...

[granuaile]

I bet they wont convert to the religion that helped them ! Wonder if he is now building a mosque on the side of the Vatican ?

Why should they? Fortunately, Pope Francis is a humanitarian, not a proselytizer, who accepted these families without condition, just as he has washed the feet of Muslim, Hindus, and others... Unlike so many, such as some American politicians who profess Christianity with tainted hearts, Pope Francis practices his faith truly by asking "What would Jesus do?"

[Steely Dan]

At least the Pope, who has been highlighting the plight of Christians persecuted in the Middle East is doing a little to help them.........hang on.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262530/pope-neglects-christian-refugees-brings-muslim-daniel-greenfield

[simple1]

At least the Pope, who has been highlighting the plight of Christians persecuted in the Middle East is doing a little to help them.........hang on.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262530/pope-neglects-christian-refugees-brings-muslim-daniel-greenfield

If you watched / read other reports there were people holding up banners during the Pope's visit claiming they were Yezidis. From a PR aspect one can assume the Pope was also intending to also take some Christians. Bureaucratic / security background checks would have been established by the Greek / Italian governments...

"There were two Christian families but their paperwork wasn't ready. [Religion] was not grounds for exemption.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/pope-taking-12-syrian-refugees-from-lesbos/7332432

[Jingthing]

The very definition of show boating tokenism.

Interesting he only took some with rock sold PAPERWORK.

That's not very revolutionary.

It would have been a real statement to take 1000 without papers.

If people are legit war refugees, how is it reasonable to expect they all have solid papers?

[cockatoowho]

I certainly hope those 6 children are well monitored, as at least 10,000 refugee children went missing while traversing Italy......there is something really weird about this creepy Jesuit "Pope".

Do you think that he, personally, organised the disappearance of 10,000 children?

Nope, but you can bet he had a hand in it. Wake up, the world isn't flat and religion isn't sacred.

[simple1]

The very definition of show boating tokenism.

Interesting he only took some with rock sold PAPERWORK.

That's not very revolutionary.

It would have been a real statement to take 1000 without papers.

If people are legit war refugees, how is it reasonable to expect they all have solid papers?

The Vatican has for years had a well established specialised armed security function to protect the Pope, who also provide protection when he's traveling. To establish people are legitimate asylum seekers requires security / background checks.

Edited April 17, 2016 by simple1

[Baerboxer]

All started a week before he arrived so all contrived not the spontaneous act it appeared to be and just a PR stunt.

With Merkel, Junker etc around Europe has enough problems without somebody of the Pope's standing jumping on the bandwagon and doing nothing to help with his narrow religious view which is usually lacking in reality and practicality.

His only standing is with those who follow the Catholic creed.

What he says is meaningless to anyone else and the Vatican is still a cesspit of corruption - political, sexual and financial.

12 Syrians - wow that will make a real difference. Angela will be praising them for this quota.

As you say, a PR stunt from an organization still trying to deflect from their years of notorious child abuse and years of cover ups.

[Jingthing]

Well, the pure Christian message would be take take in all comers and don't worry about papers.

Of course, real world practically speaking, states can NOT do that.

So I think the token 12 can be seen that the Pope does not really walk the walk coming out of his mouth.

As Pope's go, he is quite a good one, but he still represents a questionable institution.

I think he is a good man and his heart is in the right place. I don't think the 12 will make any difference, except for the 12.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Jingthing

[Ulic]

Will they granted asylum in Vatican City or is the Pope trafficking them to Italy. Will

they claim asylum in Italy or work there way north to Germany, Sweden, west to the UK.

The article link above was not clear at all other than saying the Italian government

had given approval and a group would be looking after them. What I want to know is where

are they making their asylum claims and in the eyes of the law is the Pope now a

Coyote (human trafficker) He is bring illegal migrants into Italy without there asylum

claims having been approved.

[Basil B]

Only 12...

But then the IS missionaries are offering free vests, belts and virgins...

[Pimay1]

Only 12...

But then the IS missionaries are offering free vests, belts and virgins...

In my opinion it was only a PR stunt.