Turkey- Pope Francis visits Greek island amid refugee crisis
Date
4/16/2016 6:50:54 PM
(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) >Pope Francis has been greeted on the Greek island of Lesvos by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Patriarch Bartholomew and the head of the Greek Orthodox Church Ieronymos amid tight security.
The three religious leaders will visit Moria camp on Lesvos where most of the refugees have been kept and also will pay tribute to the people that lost their lives in the sea trying to cross the waters from Turkey to Greece.
Tsipras said the Catholic pontiff was welcome to the island that “lifted on its shoulders all the weight of Europe” a reference to the unprecedented refugee crisis.
Pope Francis praised Greece and the Greek people and the role played in addressing the issue saying the country continues to set an example to humanity.
Tsipras said the visit was “an opportunity to highlight the need to stop the [Syrian] war exploitation of people and to allow a legal route for these people who flee their homes for a better future.
The premier said it was also an opportunity to show that “the Greek people despite the great difficulties they have faced and despite being unjustly treated and suffering harsh austerity measures over the years that others have imposed showed a human face and solidarity towards refugees.
“I’m proud of that especially since some of our partners and even in the name of Christian Europe lifted up walls and fences to prevent defenseless people from pursuing a better life."
According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures 53666 identified refugees and migrants were on the Greek territory on Friday. Almost 30000 are in northern Greece; just over 10000 are in Idomeni camp.
By Magda Panoutsopoulou
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