Welcome to Rome: Syrian Refugees Find Hope with the Community of St. Egidio
The Community of St. Egidio has opened its doors to a group of 51 Syrian refugees in Rome, as part of a humanitarian corridor program aimed at providing assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict and living in vulnerable conditions.
By Kielce Gussie
On a recent Tuesday, fifty-one refugees from Syria touched down at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after a journey from Beirut. Collaborating with the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, the Community of St. Egidio, along with the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy and the Waldensian Table, facilitated the safe arrival of this group.
Many of these refugees had been living in precarious housing in Beirut and Saida, as well as refugee camps in the Bekaa Valley—a region greatly impacted by the conflict. Among them are families, including single mothers with children, who will soon settle in various regions across Italy.
Through the Humanitarian Corridors initiative, these families will receive support to integrate into their new lives, including Italian language classes and assistance with finding work once they obtain refugee status.
Humanitarian Corridors: A Lifeline to Safety
This is not the first time Italy has welcomed refugees through the Humanitarian Corridors program. Since 2016, approximately 3,000 individuals have found refuge in Italy from Lebanon alone, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Community of St. Egidio and its partners. In total, over 7,700 refugees have been resettled in Europe through this initiative.
Pope Francis and his Commitment to Refugees
For over a decade, Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for refugees, speaking out against indifference and taking concrete actions to support them. In 2016, during a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, he brought twelve refugees—six of whom were children—back to Rome on his papal plane. In a more recent visit to Greece, he met with nine young Syrian Christians in Athens.
Through acts of compassion and solidarity, the Community of St. Egidio and Pope Francis continue to demonstrate the universal message of love and welcome that defines our shared humanity.
