August 24, 2013 - Pope Francis plans to visit a group of refugees next month in a
centre for them in Rome city. On the afternoon of Sept. 10, he will greet those who
receive free meals at the Jesuit Refugee Center, located at the mother church of the
Jesuits. The Society of Jesus – or Jesuits – have been running the Center Astalli,
located behind the Church of the Gesù, for 13 years, along with the help of volunteers.
The center, which offers free showers and one meal each day, also helps refugees become
legal citizens of Italy and find jobs and a place to live. The president of the Center
Astalli, Father Giovanni La Manna, wrote a letter to Pope Francis in April inviting
him for a visit. Within a few days, the pontiff telephoned Fr. La Manna saying he
accepted the invitation. The encounter between Pope Francis and the refugees of
different faiths will be in private and exclude protocols established for official
visits. Next week, the heads of the center will meet with the Vatican to establish
the organizational aspects of the visit. The center, which promotes interreligious
and intercultural dialogue awareness, focuses on young generations as well as educational
projects.