SW News: The Holy Father Pope Francis once again highlighted the need for concrete action to resolve the burning migrant issue during his address while visiting the Reception and Identification Center in Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos on Sunday, December 5.

The pope, who arrived in Lesbos at around 10.45 am local time, was hailed by hundreds of migrants and refugees belonging to the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia as he was being led to the center. His Holiness paused to caress children, bless babies and shake hands with some of the residents of the center. He even spoke briefly with a few refugees.

During the reception in a specially prepared tent, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou welcomed His Holiness. Among those present were  His Beatitude Hieronymos, the Archbishop of Athens; Orthodox prelates, Catholic Bishop Josif Printezis of Naxos, Tinos and Mykonos; other Catholic bishops and refugees. Songs in French were sung by African refugees who are also members of the local Catholic parish. In his message, the pope said that the Mediterranean has always united different people and faraway lands for centuries.

However, now it is becoming a cold cemetery sans tombstones as countless migrants who undertake perilous journeys to cross over to Europe meet a watery grave.

He said the Mediterranean, which is the cradle of many civilizations, now looks like a mirror of death. He said one cannot allow the sea of memories to be transformed into a sea of forgetfulness. The Holy Father is visiting Lesbos for the second time and during the first visit in 2016 he went to meet migrants at the overcrowded Moira camp that was destroyed in a blaze last year. He said that even after five years of his visit to Lesbos, things have not changed much although much is being done by Greece and its people to alleviate the hardships of migrants and refugees. He went on to say that the root causes of displacement have to be tackled instead of targeting refugees.

At the meeting in the morning, the pope warned that God is offended as people look the other way when their own brethren are left at the mercy of the waves. His Holiness said that faith calls for mercy and compassion and it also exhorts hospitality and tenderness, stressing that concerted action is required to resolve the issues of refugees and also conflict in the world. He also criticized the approach of some European nations that are hostile to refugees. “It is sad to hear, as solutions, the use of mutual funds to build walls, to build barbed wire,” said the pope. “We are in the age of walls and barbed wire. Of course, we understand fears and insecurities, difficulties and dangers. Fatigue and frustration are felt, exacerbated by the economic and pandemic crises, but it is not by raising barriers that problems are solved and coexistence improved.

He also invoked the intercession of the Blessed Mother, saying “May the Mother of God help us to have a maternal gaze, which sees in men children of God, sisters and brothers to welcome, protect, promote and integrate.” Before winding up, he thanked the Greek people for their welcome. Thank you, Greek brothers and sisters, for this generosity, he said.

During the visit to Lesbos, the Holy Father also listened to the testimony of a young 30-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who is in the camp with his two children. He said he has not heard from his wife and baby who are back in Congo ever since he came to Greece last year. The refugee named Christian recounted with gratitude how the local parish where he goes for Mass treats him with generosity and love.

One of the volunteers at the local parish also explained how the refugees have invigorated their community and how the Church helps integrate them and assists them on their journey to their country of choice.

At the close of the meeting, Pope Francis recited the Angelus and also prayed for the dead. After briefly visiting a few dwellings in the center, His Holiness departed for Athens at noon.