Pope Francis issued an apology to refugees for what he called “the closure and indifference of our societies.” He has repeatedly urged nations and churches to take in migrants and refugees. Last week (April 16) he followed his own advice, bringing 12 Syrian refugees back to Italy with him after his one-day visit to Greece. The three families received a warm welcome from the Roman Catholic charity that is helping them. The families called the pope’s gesture a “miracle.”

Humanitarian groups are praising Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for focusing international attention on the migrant crisis during last Saturday’s visit to Lesbos. The two leaders and the Orthodox Archbishop of Greece met with migrants, held a prayer service, and threw wreathes into the sea in remembrance of those who have died on the journey to Greece. The religious leaders also issued a joint declaration calling on the international community to take stronger action in the crisis and to make protection of human lives a priority.