Pope meets refugee family, prays before his journey to Cuba/USA

Salus Populi Romani

The family of Syrian refugees being hosted by the Vatican parish of Santa Anna had the opportunity to thank Pope Francis for his hospitality towards them yesterday morning. Their visit came shortly before the Holy Father departed for Cuba and the United States. The Syrian family, accompanied by the Pontifical Almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, met Pope Francis briefly at the Santa Marta residence to say thank you and to wish him a safe trip.

On Friday evening (September 18), Pope Francis visited the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome for a moment of prayer before his 10th Apostolic Journey. The Holy Father always the Papal Basilica to pray before the Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People) image of the Blessed Virgin Mary before he begins a journey.

A Vatican statement on Friday said a Syrian refugee family, is already being hosted by the Vatican with the help of the city state's Santa Anna parish community. The family, consisting of a father, mother and their two children, come from Damascus and belong to the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. In its statement, the Vatican said the family arrived in Italy on 6 September, the same day that Pope Francis made his appeal for European parishes to open their doors to refugees and promised that the Vatican too would take in two refugee families. The Syrian family is living in an apartment belonging to the Vatican in the vicinity of St Peter's Basilica.

The four Syrians have already asked for international asylum. In its statement, the Vatican said according to law, for the first six months following the request for asylum, those seeking international protection cannot work and during this time they will be helped and accompanied by the Vatican's Parish of Santa Anna. The Syrian family has not been named and the statement asked the media to respect the family's wish not to be contacted or asked to give interviews.

The Vatican says it cannot provide any information yet about a second refugee family that is expected to be housed soon by the Vatican's other parish, that of St Peter's.

Source: Vatican Radio/VIS