Posted on 09/19/2015 12:38:53 PM PDT by NYer
The family of Syrian refugees being hosted by the Vatican parish of Santa Anna had the opportunity to thank Pope Francis in person for his hospitality, the Vatican reported. Their Saturday morning visit came shortly before the Holy Father departed for Cuba and the United States.
The family, consisting of mother, father and two children, are members of the Greek Catholic Melkite Church in Damascus. They fled the war in their country and are living in an apartment belonging to the Vatican in the vicinity of St. Peter’s Basilica. They have already asked for international asylum.
On Saturday, they were accompanied by the Pontifical Almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, to the Pope’s the Santa Marta residence to say thank you and to wish him a safe trip.
A second family of refugees will soon be welcomed by the other Vatican parish, St. Peter’s. The Vatican is not releasing the names of either family.
The Pope then went to get in the car that took him to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
Pope Francis’ tenth international journey began this morning when his flight took off from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 10:32 am Rome time. It was Alitalia flight A330, scheduled to arriva at the José Marti International airport in La Habana, Cuba at 16:00 (4:00 pm) Cuba time after nearly twelve hours in flight.
On Friday evening, Pope Francis visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome for a moment of prayer before his 10th Apostolic Voyage as pope. It has become customary for the Holy Father to visit the basilica and to pray before the Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People) image of the Blessed Virgin Mary before a trip.
Catholic ping!
I knew, of course, that the Pope would have a completely vetted, de-loused family that looked straight out of a Christmas card. Get back to me when he takes in some able-bodied, bewhiskered men of very dodgy origin. And don’t lock away the knives!
This Swiss Guard informed him this morning that someone stole his 8-Track out of the Pope-Mobile.
He took in a CATHOLIC family?? I thought it was going to be a Muslim family and he would build them a Mosque. Glad he took them in since THEY are the persecuted ones.
LOL!!!!
I’m right, aren’t I, Annie? What a crock!
You always are!!!
I wonder how long it took them to find a family in the hordes of invaders?
Beautiful!
Thanks. Lovely photo.
A truly insensitive comment. These christians are the ones being tortured and persecuted, yet, like Obama, you would deny them a home?! The US and western European nations are taking in fleeing muslims, whereas the christians have been left behind to suffer.
The pope has taken in Rome's homeless, in case you have forgotten. 'This is your house' – Pope Francis meets homeless in Sistine Chapel
See my comment on post #14.
Lovely! We have several Melkite families in our parish because there is no Melkite Church in upstate NY. Have you attended Divine Liturgy there?
Get a grip, NYer!!! No one said they shouldn’t be saved!! I said THEY are the persecuted ones!! geesh.
I keep meaning to. :-) It’s a bit of a drive for me, but I’ll make it soon!
Since this family is now free, why is this woman dressed like a muslim??????
GOOD FREAKING QUESTION!!!
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