Syrian refugee family living at Vatican
September 18, 2015
The Vatican has provided a home for a family of Syrian refugees seeking asylum.
The Vatican announced on September 18 that the family—a father, mother, and two children, Melkite Catholics who were residents of Damascus—are living in an apartment inside the Vatican. They are sponsored by the parish of Santa Anna, the church inside the Vatican walls.
Having applied for asylum, the family members are barred from employment for six months as their request is processed. The family arrived at the Vatican on September 6: the same day that Pope Francis challenged Catholic parishes to accept refugees.
Vatican officials did not name the Syrian family, and asked reporters to respect the refugees’ privacy. Another Syrian family is expected at the Vatican soon, to be sponsored by the parish community of St. Peter’s.
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