NICOSIA (Reuters) – Pope Francis visits Cyprus this week to lend his assist to a conflict-riven island now on the entrance line of a brand new migratory route for individuals fleeing their international locations for Europe.
In central Nicosia, nothing tells the story of an inflow in arrivals greater than the small courtyard space exterior the Church of the Holy Cross. Every morning migrants queue for assist and help from a Catholic charity.
Assist employees say the scenario is overwhelming. Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a cornerstone of his papacy, has organized to have 50 migrants relocated to Italy after his journey this week.
He plans an ecumenical prayer with migrants at Holy Cross on Dec. 3 after Mass at an outside stadium in Nicosia within the morning.
“I’m considering of those that, lately, and nonetheless at present, have been fleeing from battle and poverty, touchdown on the shores of the continent or elsewhere, and discovering not hospitality, however hostility and even exploitation,” Francis mentioned in a video message forward of his go to.
“They’re our brothers and sisters.”
Along with its proximity to the risky Center East, Cyprus has discovered itself in a sticky spot for causes of its personal complicated geopolitics.
Cut up between its ethnic Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus has a porous 180-km (116-mile) ceasefire line cleaving it east to west that has been utilized by individuals traffickers as a again door into the government-controlled south. This yr alone greater than 90 % of those that got here to the south used this route.
“Proper now we’re overwhelmed with the variety of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who’re right here in Cyprus,” mentioned Elizabeth V. Kassinis, government supervisor of Caritas Cyprus, a part of a world community of Catholic reduction and assist organisations.
She mentioned the charity, which offers assist starting from help with paperwork to clothes and meals parcels, has lately been aiding as much as 400 individuals every day in contrast with between 150-200 previously.
Many are pinning hopes on the pope bringing them higher days. “The pope can change many issues as a result of the pope represents Jesus Christ … when you comply with God you can’t lose something,” mentioned Antoinette Ndjikeu, 50, from Cameroon.
Father Jerzy (George) Kraj, Latin Patriarchal Vicar and Attache of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nicosia, mentioned the ecumenical prayer with Pope Francis at Holy Cross would happen with representatives of Christian communities in Cyprus.
“That is what unites us … We aren’t solely preaching, however doing the charity.” he mentioned.
Holy Cross itself displays the weird nature of Cyprus and its division since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a quick Greek-inspired coup.
The higher partitions of the sandstone church are nonetheless pockmarked with bullet holes from 1974, and a United Nations sentry put up is on an deserted constructing reverse.
Francis will in a single day in no-man’s-land. The Franciscan monastery adjoining to Holy Cross lies in a buffer zone operating by the center of the medieval metropolis the place most different buildings have lain rotting and deserted for years.
The rooms could also be small and modest, however the pope could have every little thing he wants, mentioned Kraj.
Its rear backyard, surrounded by excessive partitions and barbed wire, backs onto the Turkish Cypriot facet of Nicosia. A bust on the entrance of the monastery is devoted to Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005.
“Construct Bridges, Not Partitions,” reads the plaque beneath the bust.
(Reporting by Michele Kambas; modifying by Philippa Fletcher)