Pope Francis today among refugees in Lesbos, then mass in Athens

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05 December 2021 On the penultimate day of his trip to Cyprus and Greece, Pope Francis today goes among the refugees stopped on the island of Lesbos. The Pope will go to the 'Reception and Identification Center' in Mavrovouni, the area equipped for the reception of refugees in Mytilene, the capital of the island. The

In 2016 with the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew and the Greek Orthodox Primate Ieronymos he visited the refugee camp of Moria, signing a joint declaration with a heartfelt appeal for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, also undertaking to "promote the full unity of all Christians ".

A wish for greater collaboration between the two Churches, especially in the service of charity. The departure from Athens to Mytilene, the capital of Lesbos, is scheduled for 9.15 am (8.15 am Italian time) with arrival at 10.10 am (9.10 am in Italy). At 10.45 am (9.45 am Italian time) there is a

which will leave at 12.15 local time.The center is the area equipped for the reception of refugees and replaces the center of Mória, which was the largest refugee camp in Europe until September 2020, when it was destroyed by fire. The new area is often called by the Greeks 'Mória 2.0' and welcomes thousands of people.Returned to Athens.

In the afternoon,

,

and at 7.00 pm the courtesy visit that the Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II will make to the Pontiff at the Apostolic Nunciature.