(ANS - Vatican City) - After the Angelus at St Peter’s yesterday, Sunday 6 September, Pope Francis made an appeal on behalf of migrants: "I appeal to parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines across Europe to put the Gospel into practice by accommodating a family of refugees. This is to be a concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy. In the next few days the parishes in the Vatican will accommodate two refugee families."

"The Mercy of God” Pope Francis said, “is recognized through our work, as we saw in the life of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the anniversary of whose death we commemorated yesterday. As we are faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from death by war and hunger, and now travelling in the hope of a new life, the Gospel calls us to be neighbours to the least and the abandoned and to give them real hope. It is not enough to say 'Courage, patience! ...'. Hope - said the pope - is combative, with the tenacity of people pursuing a safe destination. Therefore, as we draw near to the Jubilee of Mercy, I appeal to parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines throughout Europe to put the Gospel into practice and accommodate a family of refugees. This is to be concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy ".

“Every parish” reiterated the Pope, “every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary in Europe should host a family, starting from my diocese of Rome. I turn to my brother Bishops of Europe, as true shepherds, to ask their dioceses to support this appeal of mine, remembering that Mercy is the second name of love: 'Whatever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do it to me'. The two parishes in the Vatican will accommodate two families of refugees in the next few days".

The Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, reported that immediately after the appeal by Pope Francis, work began to get two apartments in the Vatican ready for two refugee families. Health care and material support will be provided at the wish of the Holy Father.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Vice President of the CCEE (Council of European Bishops' Conferences) and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, told Vatican Radio: "We are grateful to the Pope for this appeal: the Church in Europe and Italy is ready to mobilize to welcome migrants."

Published 07/09/2015