Pope in Bulgaria: the world of migrants is a bit of a cross, so many people suffer

Francis visits a refugee center in private. Other children, about fifty, in celebration, awaited the Pope in the church of the Sacred Heart of Rakovsky, for the celebration of the Mass with first Communions.

Sofia (AsiaNews) - "Today the world of migrants and refugees is a cross, a cross of humanity, and the cross is [represented by] a lot of people who are suffering". Even during this trip to Bulgaria, Pope Francis refocused his attention on and concern for the world of migration.

The second day of his visit to the "Land of Roses" began with a private visit to the Vrazhdebna refugee reception center (pictured), located in the old building of a former school on the outskirts of Sofia. It welcomes about fifty people.

A special morning that saw Francis, after visiting the refugee center, travel by plane to Plovdiv and then drive to Rakovsky. Here in the church of the Sacred Heart, he celebrated Mass with First Communions.

At the refugee center, the interim director of the Vatican Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, described, "a very brief meeting and, in about 25 minutes, the Holy Father and these children, really protagonists of this meeting at the refugee center, they also gave a sense of what Pope Francis is saying with his words and with his gestures, since the beginning of the pontificate. The closeness to the suffering flesh of Christ, the existential peripheries and in this case really, with one more element, that is children: children who come from Syria, from Iraq, and who are welcomed in this center, in particular by Caritas, who were able to joyfully meet the Holy Father ”.

"It was very beautiful - said Gisotti – they gave the Pope drawings, the most natural gift for children, and a gift that the Pope appreciated very much. The drawings have a particular meaning of beauty, of joy: their faith certainly struck the Holy Father, as it did us. They were beautiful, joyful pictures, as well as the children's choir that accompanied the whole visit, we are talking about children from primary school age from 6 to 10 years, and they really cheered up the whole meeting with these songs. The Pope was very pleased and these children also felt happy, this was visible as they gave their gifts and in the greeting that followed. The Holy Father left an icon of Our Lady, this to say the fundamental presence of Mary, of motherhood, in a place of such great suffering, but also of hope as is this reception center for refugees ".

"The Pope emphasized, in a brief greeting to the children and their parents and to all the volunteers present in the center, that children always help us to better understand what is happening. The Pope said, of these children, of their families, in fleeing war, poverty, leaving their homeland and trying to enter other areas of the world, but also a sense of hope ".

"And then the Pope thanked these children, these families, for their good will also in this Way of the Cross, in this journey of suffering in bringing good will even where they are, to the countries where they arrive with great difficulty and great suffering. He asked for prayer for him and we know how important the prayer of those who suffer, especially these children and these families, is for the Pope. "

Other children, 245 in a festive atmosphere, awaited the Pope in the church of the Sacred Heart of Rakovsky. " I am looking at you, dressed in your white robes. What a meaningful and beautiful sign. You are dressed for a celebration! First Communion is, above all, a celebration. We celebrate Jesus, who wants to remain always by our side. He will always be with us. This celebration was made possible also thanks to our parents and grandparents, our families and our communities, who have helped us to grow in the faith”.

" Dear boys and girls, I am happy to share this great moment with you and help you meet Jesus. For you, this is a day to be celebrated in a spirit of friendship, joy and fraternity. A day of communion among yourselves and with the whole Church, which, especially in the Eucharist, expresses the communion that makes all of us brothers and sisters. This is our identity card: God is our Father, Jesus is our brother, the Church is our family. Al of us are brothers and sisters, and our law is love. BOLLETTINO N. 0376 - 06.05.2019 5 I ask you always to pray with the same enthusiasm and joy that you feel today. Remember that this is the sacrament of your first Communion, not your last! Remember too, that Jesus is always there, waiting for you. I hope that today will be the beginning of many Communions, so that your hearts may always, like today, be festive, full of joy and, above all else, gratitude”.

• Vatican
• Pope
• Francis
• Bulgaria
• refugees
• children
• first communion