Pope Francis pays a two-day visit to Cyprus. The Pope is welcomed by President Anastasiadis at the Presidential Palace and tomorrow he will have meetings with refugees.

As during the previous visit of the Pope to the island, in 2010, the catholic church of the Maronite community of Cyprus will be in the center, since the head of the Roman Catholic Church will have meetings there with Cypriot catholics, priests, faithful and the leaders of the two catholic religious groups of Cyprus, Maronite and Latin.

Today, however, due to the refugee crisis, the church, which is located on the green line within the walls of Nicosia, acquires another significance, since from there the Pope is expected to send a message of support to the refugees everywhere. Indicative of the humanitarian character that the Pope’s visit to Cyprus takes is the realization of an ecumenical prayer with immigrants as the last act of the visit, tomorrow at 16:00 in the afternoon again from the green line area of ​​the also catholic church of the Holy Cross.

With refugees and immigrants

According to the information, the Pope, leaving Cyprus tomorrow, is expected to take with him a number of refugees, to whom he will be offered asylum by the Vatican. Earlier, at 10 am on Friday, the Pope will perform a divine service at the largest stadium in Cyprus, the GSP stadium where more than 5 thousand believers will gather.

It is noted that the Pope’s arrival on the island has put the police on their feet, since more than 500 members of the body have been seconded to ensure the safe residence of the Pope. At the same time, 77 journalists who will accompany the mission have been accredited for the visit of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, while more than 200 journalists from 19 countries have been accredited to cover the event.

Loukianos Lyritsas, Nicosia

Source: Deutsche Welle