The congregation's task has always been “the transmission and dissemination of the faith throughout the whole world.”

Since February 2016, Sant’Egidio has been able to bring 3,026 refugees into Europe using humanitarian corridors. Italy, thanks to the commitment of its episcopal conference and Protestant community, has welcomed the majority of the refugees brought in by Sant’Egidio, reaching a total of 2,448, most of them from Lebanon and Ethiopia.

In 2015, Francis had Tomasito laid to rest in the Teutonic cemetery in the Vatican, close to the place where St. Peter was executed.

A Jesuit who works for Jesuit Refugee Service in Thailand raised the question of ministry among migrants and refugees.

In his off-the-cuff remarks, the pope highlighted the importance of listening.

Despite growing recognition of climate change as a legitimate and looming threat, current commitments to mitigate its effects and alter human behavior fall short of those needed to resolve the crisis in time, Pope Francis said.