DW: The Pope will offer asylum to refugees in Cyprus

The symbolic move he made in 2016, offering asylum to Syrian refugees living in a camp in Mytilene and taking them with him to the Vatican on the return trip from Greece, is expected to be repeated by Pope Francis during his official visit to Cyprus on December 2.

According to DW, in view of his visit to the island, Pope Francis has expressed to the Cypriot authorities his intention to offer asylum to refugees in Cyprus and to take them with him to the Vatican.

According to the same information, the intention of the head of the Roman Catholic Church was discussed in recent days between the delegations of Cyprus and the Vatican, in preparation for the visit and the Ministry of Interior is already taking the necessary steps to complete the procedures that will allow a certain number of refugees to travel with the pope.

Prayer with refugees and immigrants

In addition to offering asylum to refugees in Cyprus, Pope Francis is expected to send messages of solidarity during a universal prayer with refugees and immigrants that will take place on the afternoon of December 2 at a Catholic church in Nicosia.

The Pope's actions in relation to the refugees come at a time when the Cyprus Government is trying to limit increased refugee flows onto the island, while also sending a request to the EU to suspend the right to asylum. 

Source: DW