Nov

17

U.N. Official for Refugees Thanks Pope for Appeal

November 17, 2006 |

U.N. Official for Refugees Thanks Pope for Appeal

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 17, 2006 - During a private audience at the Vatican, António Guterres, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, thanked Benedict XVI for calling attention to the plight of refugees.

Today’s audience took place in the wake of the Pope’s appeal Tuesday for the adoption of measures to facilitate the integration of migrant families, in his message for the 93rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

“The High Commissioner for Refugees has welcomed with great favor the Holy Father’s message, especially when he called attention to the difficult situation of refugees, hoping for better conditions of welcome and integration,” explained the U.N. agency.

The Vatican press office confirmed the audience but did not give details of the conversation.

Guterres also met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states.

Guterres, former prime minister of Portugal and ex-president of the Socialist International, took office as High Commissioner in June 2005.

The U.N. agency he oversees offers protection and assistance to refugees and other categories of migrants worldwide. Currently it is assisting 20 million people.

In recent years the Holy See has made donations to this institution as a gesture of help and encouragement.

Courtesy of Zenit.org


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