In Pictures: Pope Francis arrives in Rome with Syrian refugees from Lesbos camp

Twelve Syrian refugees arrived at the Vatican on Monday (April 18) after Pope Francis brought them back from the Greek island of Lesbos. They were among thousands of people trapped on Lesbos following a controversial EU-Turkey deportation deal meant to end the mass influx of migrants to Europe. Their unexpected journey to the Vatican is a provocative move for the pontiff, coming amid continued protests over the EU-Turkey deal.

Updated
Published
April 19, 2016 at 9:15 AM
Pope Francis (right) welcoming a group of Syrian refugees who flew with him to Ciampino airport in Rome, Italy, on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
A family of Syrian refugees Pope Francis brought back with him from the Greek island of Lesbos arrive at the St Egidio Roman Catholic Charity on April 18, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A familly of Syrian refugees Pope Francis brought back with him from Greek island Lesbos arrive at the St Egidio Roman Catholic Charity on April 18, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A family of Syrian refugees Pope Francis brought back with him from Greek island Lesbos arrive at the St Egidio Roman Catholic Charity on April 18, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Pope Francis shows drawings made by children on his flight back to Rome following a visit to the Moria refugee camp on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A group of Syrian refugees board a plane with Pope Francis at Mytilene Airport on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A group of Syrian refugees arrive for their flight with Pope Francis at Mytilene Airport on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A group of Syrian refugees wait to board a plane with Pope Francis at the airport of Mytilene on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Pope Francis (centre) greets a group of Syrian refugees who will fly back to the Vatican with him on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Pope Francis (centre), Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (left) and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos II throw wreaths into the water at the Greek island of Lesbos, on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Pope Francis (centre), Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Greece's Archbishop attend a ceremony in memory of victims of migration at the port of Mytilene on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Pope Francis delivers a speech at the Moria detention centre in Mytilene on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Pope Francis greets migrants and refugees at the Moria refugee camp near the port of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: EPA
Pope Francis greets migrants and refugees at the Moria refugee camp near the port of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
A young migrant flashes the victory sign while holding a cap with the national colours of the Syrian flag at the Moria detention centre during a visit by Pope Francis to Mytilene on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Activists protest against European Union immigration policies following the visit of Pope Francis to the port of Mytilene on the Greek Island of Lesbos on April 16, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
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