Pope appeals to every European parishes to take in one migrant family

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has called on every European parish and religious community to each absorb one migrant family fleeing war torn zones, adding that the Vatican’s two parishes would lead the way by taking in two families. In a speech to thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, he was quoted saying:   "I appeal to the parishes, the religious communities, the monasteries and sanctuaries of all Europe to ... take in one family of refugees."  This appeal came as a result of the number of refugees arriving through the Balkans and across the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece hits record levels.
According to Reuters , there are more than 25,000 parishes in Italy alone, and more than 12,000 in Germany, where many of the Syrians fleeing civil war and people trying to escape poverty and hardship in other countries say they want to end up.
Francis said taking in migrant families was a "concrete gesture" to prepare for the extraordinary Holy Year on the theme of mercy which is due to begin on Dec. 8.