Pope to express closeness, solidarity with refugees in Lesbos

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that during his visit to the Greek island of Lesbos on April 16, he will express his "closeness and solidarity" with refugees fleeing from conflict in their countries, but also with the people of Greece "who are very generous in their welcoming".

During a ceremony at the Vatican city, the Pope said he will be accompanied by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, and Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos II, during his visit, Efe news reported.

In Lesbos, Pope Francis is expected to meet refugees, mostly Syrians, who have reached the island across the Aegean Sea after fleeing from the war.

The visit comes parallel to the Pope's effort to shed light on the status of migrants and refugees, whom he commemorated with prayers during his visit to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.