The Pope thanks the refugee center's efforts to help migrants



Pope Francis meets refugees in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos, Greece, in this photo from the 2016 file. In a letter dated 23 May 2020, the pope expressed his gratitude to a refugee center run by the Jesuits in Rome for its constant assistance to migrants and refugees fleeing war, persecution and hunger. 

ROME - Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to a refugee center run by the Jesuits in Rome for his continued care for migrants and refugees fleeing war, persecution and hunger.

In the letter of May 23, the pope said that Centro Astalli is an example that will help "inspire a renewed commitment to society for an authentic culture of hospitality and solidarity".

"I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you, the employees and the volunteers for the courage with which you face the challenge of migration, especially in this delicate moment for the right of asylum, for the thousands of people who flee the war, persecutions and from serious humanitarian crises, "said the director of the center, Father Camillo Ripamonti, in the letter to the Jesuit.

Centro Astalli, which is part of the Jesuit Refugee Service, was founded by Father Pedro Arrupe, superior of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983.

The pope's letter was sent after the center published its 2020 annual report detailing its work in Rome and other locations across Italy in 2019.

According to his report, the center assisted around 20.000 migrants, 11.000 of whom were assisted in its Rome office. The center also distributed 56.475 meals throughout the year.

In his letter, Francis also addressed the refugees welcomed by the center and claimed to be "spiritually close to everyone with prayer and affection, and I encourage you to have faith and hope in a world of peace, justice and brotherhood among peoples. "

"I renew my encouragement to Centro Astalli and to all those who collaborate with it in the wise approach to the complex phenomenon of migration, in supporting adequate support interventions and in bearing witness to those human and Christian values ​​that are the basis of European civilization", He he said.