Refugees Daily - Internal Global Press Review

Vatican City, Jun 22 (EFE).- Ten refugees sat beside Pope Francis during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The refugees sat on the floor, five on one side and five on the other, beside the Pope during the ceremony and held small flags with the white and yellow colors of the Vatican State.

In his remarks, Francis said the refugees had suffered in their home countries.

"They are our refugees, but so many consider them as excluded. Please they are our brothers," he said.

"The Christian doesn't exclude anyone, he gives a place to all, let all come," Francis added.

The pontiff has always been very sensitive to the refugee crisis in Europe.

In addition to his visits to the islands of Lampedusa in Italy, and Lesbos in Greece, Pope Francis has also made more concrete gestures, including accommodating Syrian families in the Vatican.

In addition, nine Syrians, including two Christians who were in Lesbos, arrived on Friday in Rome.

This group of refugees adds to the 12 who traveled back with the Pope after his visit on April 16 to Lesbos, and whose housing and integration program was arranged by the Catholic Sant'Egidio humanitarian association.