The papal plane landed in the morning at the airport of Mytilene, the largest city of Lesbos, located on the eastern coast, 20 km from the shores of Turkey. The whole island, famous for its rich history, beautiful beaches and picturesque landscapes – along with the Italian Lampedusa – has become one of the symbols of the migration crisis.
At the airport, he was welcomed by Francesc Greek President Ekaterini Sakylaropoulouwho will accompany him during this visit.
The Pope will move from there to a nearby place Migrant Reception and Identification Center. It replaced the previous structure in the village of Moria, which during the years of the rising influx of migrants, especially from Syria, was the largest refugee camp in Europe.
It was there that Francis was on April 16, 2016, and he was on his way back to Rome He took three Syrian refugee families on his plane.
In September 2020, a large fire broke out in Moria camp, which devoured a large part of it. In the new center where the migrants were transferred, they are enjoying better living conditions.
About 200 refugees will participate in the meeting with the Pope at the center. Francis will give a speech there and visit the places where they live.
And his visit to the island will take about two hours.
