VATICAN CITY (AP) – Discussions are underway about a possible trip by Pope Francis to Greece as it begins deporting migrants back to Turkey.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Tuesday that that no decision had been made and no itinerary is planned. But in an email to The Associated Press he said: “However, I don’t deny that there are contacts about a possible trip.”
A Greek ecclesiastic website, Dogma, reported Tuesday that Francis was planning to visit refugees in Lesbos next week along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos. The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, the decision-making body of the Greek church, said Francis had asked to come and the request had been accepted as it was a humanitarian visit of just a few hours.
A controversial European Union plan to stem the flow of refugees began Monday with more than 200 people deported from the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios back to Turkey. Human rights organizations have denounced the move as the undoing of Europe’s obligations to protect refugees.
Francis, the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, has been outspoken about the need for Europe and other countries to open their doors and hearts to people fleeing persecution and poverty.