The invitation came amid increasingly closer relations between the Vatican and al-Azhar University, which is considered the most authoritative theological-academic institution of Sunni Islam.

Msgr. John E. Kozar, secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, said the agency maintains a low profile because it works through and with the local church.

The answer to the refugee crisis is continued assistance "not to close the gates of the countries where people are knocking for survival," Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi said.

“We find God in every act of mercy we do unto others.”

"They're thirsty for the blood of any Christian," Wafaa Fawzy said.

Many of the 5 million Syrian refugees who scratch out a living in overwhelmed neighboring states such as Jordan aren't necessarily candidates for a rare slot in the resettlement program. Instead, priority is given to the most vulnerable.