There are poor peacemakers like Mother Teresa "who give their lives to help one person, then another and another and another," Pope Francis said.

"For us, it has always been the heart of the community. It's the cornerstone of our community."

The proposal also calls for a vote on an arms embargo on South Sudan if U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports within a month that authorities have blocked the regional force.

"This team is the victory scream of all refugees. People believe that we don't belong anywhere, but we do ... we belong to the world and the world belongs to all."

"All residents of countries where laws or social norms encourage the death penalty for blasphemy are vulnerable to attacks."

While the Vatican is covering the living costs of the 21 refugees, they are being housed and resettled by the Community of Sant'Egidio, a lay community based in Rome.