Pope Praises Refugees on Greek Island of Lesbos; Brings 3 Muslim Refugee Families Back to Rome

In an emotional visit to a fenced-in refugee center on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis told hundreds of displaced families today (April 16, 2016) that "you are not alone" -- and underscored his message by taking three families of Syrian Muslim refugees back to Rome with him -- according to the USA Today website.

The 12 refugees -- including six children -- joined the pope on his plane after a five-hour visit to Lesbos's detention center. The pope also asked European leaders to do more to help the thousands of refugees stuck in camps.

The 12 refugees will be cared for in Rome by the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Catholic lay organization dedicated to charity, the Vatican said. The Vatican is already hosting two refugee families in Rome.

Francis was accompanied on his Lesbos visit by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, along with Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, and the Greek Orthodox  Archbishop of Athens.