Pope Francis has consistently emphasized his vision for a church that embraces the marginalized, advocating for inclusivity and compassion. Since his papacy began, he has pursued initiatives that exemplify this approach, such as his notable act of rescuing refugees during a 2016 visit to Lesbos. This particular encounter deeply affected refugees like Nour Essa, whose life was transformed by Francis' actions. In addition to taking her and others to Rome, his continual acknowledgement of their stories and individual identities highlights the lasting impact of his commitment to humanitarian efforts. Essa’s transition from refugee to biologist exemplifies the positive outcomes of such initiatives.
Today, Essa works as a biologist at Rome's Bambino Gesu hospital. The encounter with Francis touched her deeply. In subsequent meetings, she was astonished that the pope remembered the name of every asylum seeker he had welcomed.
Essa was one of 12 Muslim refugees who Francis met on the Greek island of Lesbos in 2016 and flew to Rome aboard his private plane. In an unprecedented move during a trip to the island to highlight the refugee crisis...
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