The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will travel to the Greek island of Lesbos on April 16.
In a communique released by the Holy See Press Office this morning, the Vatican confirmed the papal visit noting the Pontiff has accepted the invitations of Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and of the Greek president.
Pope Francis will meet with the refugees on the island together with the Ecumenical Patriarch and with His Beatitude Hieronimus II, Archbishop of Athens and of Greece.
The Argentine Pontiff who has been very vocal about supporting refugees and migrants is traveling to the Greek Island to show support and solidarity for refugees in the midst of the migrant crisis in Europe. Many of these immigrants are fleeing from conflicts or persecution in the Middle East and Africa, while many so-called economic migrants are seeking better living conditions in Europe or other Western countries.
After Pope Francis’ election in 2013, his first trip was to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, where hundreds of thousands of immigrants have also arrived, in order to show them his support.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Article regarding speculation about trip to Lesbos: https://zenit.org/articles/pope-may-visit-greek-island-of-lesbos/
