First group of migrants from Cyprus relocated to Italy under Pope pledge

·

A first group of migrants left Cyprus on Thursday as part of an initiative by Pope Francis to assist in their relocation, the government said.

Twelve migrants left Cyprus for Italy, Cyprus’ interior ministry said.

“We would like to warmly thank Pope Francis and the Holy See for this symbolic gesture and anticipate it will be a step towards substantive solidarity by other (EU) member states towards the Republic of Cyprus,” it said.

The Pope pledged to arrange the transfer of 50 migrants during his visit to the island in early December.

Ethnically divided Cyprus has struggled to manage an influx of migrants and refugees in the past two years.

Many asylum seekers access the southern government-controlled areas through the “Green Line” splitting the island after previously arriving in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in its north.

Cyprus, which is the closest EU member state to the Middle East, says arrivals so far this year are up 38 percent compared with the whole of 2020.

Pope Francis, whose defense of refugees and migrants is defining his papacy, also visited Greece and the island of Lesbos earlier this month.

During a previous visit in 2016, Pope Francis left Lesbos, then at the frontline of Europe’s migration crisis, taking 12 Syrian refugees with him.

Source: Reuters 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek film festival turns 30 with a Stellar Line-Up of Award-Winning films

The Greek Film Festival is celebrating a major anniversary this year - 30 years of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens.

Summer School for Greek Language teachers in Australia

For the first time in Australia, a specialized online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

Children’s week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Children’s Week the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools are taking part in the celebrations organised by the Victorian Government

Get Online Week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Get Online Week 2025, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria will proudly join Good Things Foundation’s national campaign.

St Benedict School in Mt Torrens rejects screens, embraces ancient Greek philosophy

Established in early 2024 by members of the Catholic Church of the Holy Name, St Benedict has grown to around 50 students.

You May Also Like

Remembering the influential Greek chef, Nikolaos Tselementes

Greece's first 'Masterchef' and teacher of cooking and confectionery, Nikolaos Tselementes, passed away on this day at the age of 80.

Christmas carols sung proudly by the Greek community in Sydney and Adelaide

The Greek community in Sydney and Adelaide got into the festive spirit over the weekend with a number of Christmas kalanda events.

How Sarah Di Lorenzo’s pappou inspired her new cookbook ‘My Mediterranean Life’

Sarah Di Lorenzo is a wealth of knowledge regarding health and wellness. She is also a single mother of three daughters.