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| The Astalli Center in Rome |
A priest in Rome says Pope Francis personally called him to say he
will visit the
Astalli Center, a local facility
“Yesterday I received a call on my cell phone. It was Pope Francis and he told me he would come. This is wonderful,” Father Giovanni La Manna, head of the Jesuit Service for Refugees in Rome, posted on his
Twitter account April 7. The Astalli Center offers refugees free medical care, psychological
counseling, legal advice, meals, showers, a laundromat and educational
assistance. Undocumented refugees can use the services at the Center
without fear of being identified and deported, due to an agreement
between the Jesuits and the city of Rome. Most the immigrants at the center are Muslims refugees fleeing from
the Middle East and Africa, and the lines to use its services are often
long. In a previous interview with CNA, Fr. Manna, who has been working at
the center since 2003, said the stories behind many of the refugees are
tragic. Most of them have fled because their lives were in danger because of
political or religious reasons, he said. Others have been forced to
flee because
run by the Jesuits, that
helps thousands of undocumented refugees – many with tragic histories.
“being a Christian in a Muslim country is very difficult.” “There are also many women who have fled because their families force them to marry someone they don’t love,” the priest added. The inspiration to help these refugees “comes from the Gospel. We
don’t make anything up, we just keep in mind what the Gospel says and
teaches,” Fr. Manna noted.
And in welcoming these people we make no distinction for race,
language or religion. To us they are people who deserve care and help.” The Jesuit Service to Refugees started in 1980 and has spread
throughout the world to help people in need. The Astalli Center in Rome
receives nearly 400 people day, and a team of volunteers helps the
Jesuits care for them.
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