Vatican takes in 12 migrants as pope denounces indifference

The Associated Press ^ | December 3, 2021 | By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS and NICOLE WINFIELD

[Oldeconomybuyer]

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Pope Francis on Friday denounced the “culture of indifference” that the West shows migrants as the Vatican confirmed that at least a dozen asylum-seekers would be transferred from Cyprus to Italy in a gesture of solidarity with European countries that have received a disproportionate share of would-be refugees.

The transfer, formally announced on the second day of Francis’ visit to Cyprus, came on the eve of his scheduled arrival in Greece, from where he brought a dozen Syrian Muslim refugees home with him aboard the papal plane in 2016.

The Vatican said the Rome-based Sant’Egidio Community, working with governments, had arranged to bring the asylum-seekers from Cyprus to Italy in the coming weeks. It said 12 people would be initially transferred. Earlier, the Cypriot Interior Ministry had thanked Francis and the Holy See for the initiative to relocate 50 people, saying it was a recognition of Cyprus’ inability to continue to absorb migrants and refugees.

The Vatican didn’t immediately respond when asked about the discrepancy, though presumably more could be relocated at a later date since Sant’Egidio for years has run “humanitarian corridor” services to bring migrants to Italy legally.

[dfwgator]

Oooooh 12, I’m so impressed...NOT!

[Leaning Right]

Awhile back I did a rough calculation. Based on urban population densities and the size of Vatican City, the pope can easily take in 2000 immigrants. And there is room in the Vatican gardens to build a high-rise to house them all.

Given that 12 is less than 1% of 2000, I’m not impressed.

[Old Yeller]

Are they all under the age of 12 too?

[TexasGator]

Headline says Vatican. Article says Italy.

[rigelkentaurus]

I’m not indifferent at all. I am completely of the belief that people who hate what a country is build upon, should not be allowed to move into said country. That there are people who are incapable of assimilating should not be let into a country. And that criminals of all kinds are rightfully kept out of a country (and that absolutely includes those who violate international borders). People who will not properly present themselves at an official border with actual credentials should never be let in.

[Leaning Right]

> Headline says Vatican. Article says Italy. <

Good catch. Maybe the Vatican is just doing what Catholic charities are doing in the United States: sponsor immigrants, give them food and shelter for awhile, then dump them off on local governments.

[max americana]

only 12?? We have “11 million” since 1986. Wow, the laws of math cant seem to jack up this number after 3 decades..

[sten]

bring in 20% more than the total population of the vatican then i’ll start to listen

12 just says they brought in the lawn crew

[God luvs America]

12 down, 12 million to go..

[larrytown]

pope denounces indifference

Meh. Whatever.

[dirtymac]

This is so idiotic I thought it was a Babylon Bee article.

Probably took all the young boys

[Don Corleone]

Is he a “Lurker” here?

[BenLurkin]

Not indifference...

[simpson96]

Typical liberal move - show how kind and compassionate you are, using other people's money.

[Karoo]

I bet he carefully screened them too. Probably took those that were officials in church.

[SaxxonWoods]

These ‘migrants’ aren't illegal aliens, they are known and vetted immigrants. They aren't illegal alien drug and human traffickers.

[ronnie raygun]

12 clean hand picked boys

[spudville]

Now, now. We should follow the popes example. Every city should take 12 migrants as thoroughly vetted as the pope 12. The rest should be sent to Delaware.