Pope calls on every European parish to host one migrant family each

Pope Francis has appealed to every European parish and religious community to take in one migrant family each, in a gesture of solidarity.

"I appeal to the parishes, the religious communities, the monasteries and sanctuaries of all Europe to take in one family of refugees.

``The Vatican's two parishes would take in a family of refugees each in the coming days.

``Taking in migrant families was a "concrete gesture" to prepare for the extraordinary Holy Year on the theme of mercy which is due to begin on Dec. 8,’’ he said.

A report on Monday from the Vatican City, noted that Francis made the appeal, at the St. Peter's Square,Vatican, after his Sunday address, adding that he too would start in the tiny Vatican state where he lives.

The report said Pope's call was meant for tens of thousands of Catholic parishes in Europe, as the number of refugees arriving over land through the Balkans and across the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece hits record levels.

There are more than 25,000 parishes in Italy alone, and more than 12,000 in Germany.

It said the crowd in St. Peter's Square applauded as the pontiff, himself the grandson of Italian emigrants to Argentina, made the appeal. (Reuters/NAN)