What can I say about Pope Francis? Everything has already being said since the announcement of his death on Monday morning. But this I can say for sure: that I was stunned to see him visiting refugees in the camps on the island of Lesvos and thus twice. Once at the peak of the Migration crisis in 2016 and in December 2021, during his official visit to Greece.
Video: Pope Francis visiting refugees Moria camp on 16 April 2016
A humble man, who broke all protocols, walked through the camps and mingled with simple men and women, patting children and babies on the head, posing for selfies and taking time to listen to the personal pain and suffering of common people.
In December 2021, he visited another refugee camp on Lesvos to offer comfort and blast what he said was Europe’s indifference and self-interest “that condemns to death those on the fringes.”
“Please, let us stop this shipwreck of civilization!” Francis said at the Mavrovouni camp Kara Tepe, a cluster of white U.N. containers on the edge of the sea lined by barbed wire fencing and draped with laundry drying in the air.
Video: Pope Francis visiting Kara Tepe camp on 5. December 2021
I can also not forget my surprise when Pope Francis sent several times delegations with aid to the refugee hot spot, the Moria camp.
Right from the start of the crisis, he offered protection to a few dozens of vulnerable refugees, youngsters and families from several countries, to leave the island for Rome, where they were hosted in safety.
A powerful gesture of solidarity and a strong message to the European leaders and their petty interests.
Since the Migration crisis started, Pope Francis frequently sent his closed aide to the refugee camp of Moria bringing aid to the people.
This was Pope Francis in my eyes: protector of the poor devils of this planet, independently of their religious beliefs.
