Yesterday afternoon, September 6, 2021, Pope Francis addressed a group of homeless refugees, who went to the Vatican to watch the documentary “Francis,” directed by Evgeny Afineevsky.
“This afternoon, at the end of the screening of the documentary “Francis,” organized by the Director and the Laudato Si’ Foundation, the Holy Father arrived in the courtyard of Paul VI Hall and talked with approximately 100 people, homeless and refugees, invited to watch the film,” stated a press release of Matteo Bruni, Director of the Hoy See Press Office.
Among them were some twenty people that arrived from Afghanistan in the last few weeks. The Pope addressed to them “words of affection and consolation,” reads the text. “Then Pope Francis returned to Casa Santa Marta and the organizers distributed food parcels,” concludes Bruni’s note.
The Tragedies of Over 30 Villages
According to “Vatican News” in Italian, Afineevsky greeted the public and told the story of his family’s migration, from their native Russia to Israel, and finally to the United States.
The guests represented “the tragedies of over 30 villages, victims of wars, environmental emergencies, and persecutions.” At the end of the film, “in an informal environment and great affection, each person, each family group, received consoling words directly from the Pope, amid the amazement of the youngest, incredulous about seeing before them the protagonist of the film they had just watched,” reported “Vatican News.”
Four Afghan Brothers
There was “an intense moment” when the Pontiff met with 20 Afghan refugees, who had just arrived from the airport of Kabul. Among them were four brothers ranging in age from 14 to 20, who arrived in Italy thanks to the support of the Sant’Egidio Community.
Bismillah, the eldest of the four, said to “Vatican News” how important it was for them to feel welcomed, heard and understood by Pope Francis and how his presence this afternoon was important to give them new hope for the future.
At the end of the meeting, those present accompanied the Holy Father to the car awaiting him outside Paul VI Hall, to take him back to Casa Santa Marta.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
