Pope Francis met Monday with refugees in Bulgaria's showcase refugee centre and told them they are bearing the 'cross of humanity,' after he urged the migrant-skeptic government to not close its eyes to their suffering.
Pope Francis meets refugees during his visit to a refugee center on the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday, May 6, 2019. Last Updated Monday, May 6, 2019 5:12AM EDT
Francis thanked the children for their joy and hope, and told them that he knows well the pain of leaving behind one's country. He compared their suffering to the cross Christ bore. Francis is on the second-day of a three-day visit to the Balkans. Upon his arrival Sunday, he urged Bulgarians to not be indifferent to the plight of migrants and refugees, saying many are fleeing war, conflict and abject poverty in search of a better life. He noted that Bulgaria itself was losing thousands of its own citizens who were seeking better opportunities elsewhere in the European Union. Bulgaria is the poorest of the EU's 28 nations, saddled by widespread corruption.
Later Monday, Francis travelled to the Catholic stronghold of Rakovsky for a First Communion Mass and meeting with the local community.
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