Pope arrives on Lesbos - a visit marked by sadness

Pope Francis arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos this morning to visit and show solidarity with the many refugees there.

In a tweet posted as he left, he wrote: "Refugees are not numbers, they are people who have faces, names, stories, and need to be treated as such." Speaking with journalists on the flight to the island, he said generally during apostolic visits there is the "joy of encounter," but this visit was different, because, he said: "we are going to meet the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the Second World War...we will see many people who are suffering, who do not know where to go, who have had to flee."

The Pope also said he would also be visiting a cemetery: the sea. "Many people have drowned. I say this is not to be bitter, but so that your work today may express the feelings with which I am undertaking this journey."

Following his arrival on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Discussed at the meeting was the refugee and migration crisis, in particular the situation on the island. It was stressed "that the refugee crisis is a European and international issue calling for a comprehensive response that respects European and international law."

Below is the statement from the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See after the Meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Alexis Tsipras:

During the meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis with His Excellency the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Alexis Tsipras, the main theme of the conversations was the refugee and migration crisis and more in particular the situation on the island of Lesvos.

It was underlined that the refugee crisis is a European and international issue calling for a comprehensive response that respects European and international law.

The Pope has appreciated the humane stance of the Greek people, who despite harsh economic strains have shown solidarity and commitment to universal values.

Furthermore, the need was underlined to protect people from risking their lives by crossing the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, through combating human smuggling networks, eliminating dangerous routes and developing safe resettlement procedures to Europe.

Source: Vatican Press Office/Vatican Radio