At an ecumenical service in one of the temples of Nicosia, Pope Francis, who was on a visit to Cyprus, called for “open eyes” to the slavery and torture of migrants in the camps:
“It reminds us of the history of the last century, the Nazis, Stalin, and we wonder how this could have happened. What happened before is happening today on the neighboring shores. people are being sold here. My duty is to open your eyes. “
The service was attended by migrants who shared with the Pope the details of their journey from different countries – Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Congo. Iraqi refugee Roche complains that he was “wounded with hatred”:
“I had to flee from violence, bombs, knives, hunger and pain.
And Mariami, a refugee from Congo, says:
“I dream of being the best in my class and becoming a doctor. I dream to be welcome everywhere: here, in the church, and in any other place.”
Upon learning of the Pope’s decision to resettle 50 migrants to Italy, dozens of Catholic refugees from Africa, Asia and the Middle East gathered at the temple in the hope that the pontiff’s choice would fall on them.
Official data show that over 10 months of this year, 10 thousand illegal migrants arrived in Cyprus.
Today The pope has arrived with a three-day visit to Athens.
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