Pope Francis often gives a ride in his popemobile (special car he uses) on his way to his Wednesday audiences. However, at this audience Pope Francis invited eight migrant children who arrived in Italy from Libya to take a ride with him through St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience.
According to Alessandro Gisotti, the interim Director of the Holy See Press Office some of the childrens reached shore on a migrant boat a few months ago.
They were wearing T-shirts that said “Welcome, protect, promote and integrate” the which Pope Francis suggested in his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The children were Syrian, Nigerian and Congolese, and they are currently living, together with their families, with an association in Rome.
‘Humanitarian corridors’
The self-funded “Humanitarian Corridors” project, which Pope Francis has supported, is carried out by the Community of Sant’Egidio in collaboration with the Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Waldensian and Methodist Churches.
Once in Italy, the refugees are welcomed in houses at the expense of the associations involved and are offered Italian language lessons, school enrolment for the children, and activities that promote integration and the search for employment. Edited from VaticanNews.va - Image Share from Vatican.va
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