Migrant crisis: Pope returns from Greece with 12 migrants

Pope Francis has taken 12 Syrian migrants back with him to the Vatican after visiting a camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

The three families, including six children, are all Muslim and had their homes bombed during the Syrian war.

The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis wanted to "make a gesture of welcome'' to the refugees.

Thousands of migrants are now stuck on Lesbos after last month's EU-Turkey deal to try to ease the flow.

All of those leaving with the Pope were already living on Lesbos before the deal was implemented, the Vatican said.

They were reportedly selected from lots drawn, and will be looked after initially by the Sant'Egidio community, known for their charity work.

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Under the EU-Turkey agreement, migrants arriving illegally on the Greek islands from Turkey after 20 March will be deported unless they successfully claim for asylum.

In return, for every Syrian returned to Turkey, the EU will take another Syrian directly from Turkey.

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Image captionThe 12 Syrian migrants travelled on the same plane as Pope Francis

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionOn the flight he showed reporters a drawing he had been given by a migrant girl

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionPope Francis greeted the migrant group as they disembarked

Pope Francis earlier told migrants living in the Moria camp - some of whom are facing being sent back - "you are not alone".

About 3,000 people are being held in the camp on Lesbos, some of whom lined the streets with banners pleading for help as the Pope arrived.

Some wept, others threw themselves at his feet or chanted "freedom".

In his speech, the Pope acknowledged "the great sacrifice" the people in the camp had made, saying he wanted to "draw the attention of the world to this grave humanitarian crisis".

He told the camp's residents: "Do not lose hope. The greatest gift we can offer to one another is love."

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who also met the pontiff, said the visit "sends a message that surpasses Greece's and Europe's borders".

The Vatican has stressed the Pope's visit was purely humanitarian and religious in nature and should not be seen as a criticism of the deportations.

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionPope Francis told migrants in the Moria camp not to give up hope

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionJust over 3,000 people are housed in the Lesbos camp

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionThe EU-Turkey deal aims partly at deterring people making the dangerous sea crossing

In September, the Pope made space in the Vatican apartments for two refugee families, urging Catholics across Europe to play their part to resolve the crisis.

He also visited the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013 to show similar support for migrants after dozens died trying to reach it.

Migrant arrivals in Greece have fallen significantly this year, following the closure of borders and the announcement of the EU-Turkey deal.

In the week to 13 April, arrivals in Greece were 76% lower than the previous week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

But over the same period arrivals into Italy surged, according to the IOM - 173% higher than the previous week.