Pope Francis held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Malta, George Vella.
During the audience, the Pope gave him a bronze statue of a man extending his hand to another man.
POPE FRANCIS
And the idea is that the only time you can only look down at a person from above is: to help them up.
Malta receives thousands of refugees each year. It is a gateway to Europe for many people crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of a safe haven. Many of them include families from Sudan, Libya and Syria.
In 2022, Pope Francis visited the island. He met with refugees at a welcome center. He heard the testimony of a man who had tried to cross the Mediterranean three times. Several of his friends lost their lives during the journey.
I started a new life. With the hope of getting better. I thank everybody who made this possible for me. Everybody that offered me help along the way. And then my thoughts go to all of my brothers and my sisters who are still in custody.
During that trip, the Pope visited the grotto where St. Paul is believed to have taken refuge after his ship ran aground on his way to Rome. Pope Francis has stressed that Malta should be seen as a symbol of welcome for migrants.
PA
TR: KG
