At the Vatican, Pope Francis had lunch with a group of 21 Syrian refugees, including the 12 he brought to Rome from the Greek island of Lesbos earlier this year. Both the adults and children told the pope about the start of their lives in Italy. The children gave Francis a collection of drawings. The pope gave them toys and other gifts. Francis also wrote a letter of encouragement to the team of refugees competing at the Olympics. He wished each of the 10 athletes success, and said he hoped that they “serve as a cry for peace and solidarity.”