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Syrian refugee Pope took to Rome 'overwhelmed'

A Syrian refugee taken to Rome by the Pope and offered the chance to start a new life with her family in Italy has said she is "overwhelmed" by the Pontiff's kindness.

In a symbolic gesture, the Pope finished his tour of the Greek island of Lesbos on Saturday by taking three Syrian families with him back to the Vatican.

The 12 refugees, including six children, accompanied the Pontiff on his return journey arriving at the Sant'Egidio community centre on Saturday night where they began their new life.

During his trip he vowed solidarity with refugees, telling them they were "not alone", while he also laid memorials for those who have died at sea crossing to Europe.

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Syrian refugee Pope took to Rome 'overwhelmed'

A Syrian refugee taken to Rome by the Pope and offered the chance to start a new life with her family in Italy has said she is "overwhelmed" by the Pontiff's kindness.

Nour Essa also said she was still in shock after the "surprise" of herself, her husband and their two-year-old son being chosen by drawing lots as one of three families to accompany the Pope home.

The family, who have been taken into the care of Rome's Sant'Egidio charity, only found out they had been picked the night before Pope Francis' visit to meet refugees and migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos.

The night before the visiting of the pope, Sant'Egidio came to our camp and made interviews with us, so we know (knew) that we were chosen at nine o'clock in the evening. And they told us that 'you must be ready the day after, you must be ready tomorrow because your plane is tomorrow', so it was like a surprise.

– Nour Essa
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Syrian refugee Pope took to Rome 'overwhelmed'

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