Gambiaj.com – (VATICAN, Italy) – In a heartfelt meeting on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, Pope Francis met with a group of migrants at Casa Santa Marta. Among them were authors Ibrahim Lo from Senegal and Ebrima Kuyateh from The Gambia, who have penned books recounting their arduous journeys in search of a new home.

Pope Francis, known for his compassion and advocacy for migrants, welcomed the group with open arms, providing a moment of grace and solidarity. This meeting follows a pattern of similar encounters, where the Pope listens intently to the migrants’ experiences, offering his support and encouragement.

Fr Mattia Ferrari, who accompanied the group, described the Pope as a “father” and a “shepherd to all.” He emphasized the significance of these meetings, highlighting the Pope’s desire to listen to their stories and express gratitude for their resilience.

Gambian and Senegalse authors shared their stories of hell and hope

Ibrahim Lo and Ebrima Kuyateh were the central figures in this gathering. Ibrahim authored “Pane e acqua. Dal Senegal all’Italia passando per Libia” (“Bread and Water. From Senegal to Italy via Libya”) and “La mia voce. Dalle rive dell’Africa alle strade dell’Europa” (“My Voice. From the Shores of Africa to the Streets of Europe”).

Ebrima Kuyateh wrote “Io i miei piedi nudi” (“I My Bare Feet”), which features a preface by Archbishop Erio Castellucci and an afterword by Stefano Croci, director of Migrantes.

Pope Francis listened to various stories of harrowing experiences mixed with glimmers of hope. One such story was from Pato, who had previously met the Pope in November 2023. He recounted the tragic deaths of his wife Fati and daughter Marie due to thirst while crossing the desert, a story that had a profound impact globally.

Despite the bleak tales, there were also messages of hope. Fr Mattia shared that the migrants’ experiences of being welcomed and rescued demonstrate a profound truth: “when we rescue or welcome the poor, the migrants, it is they who are saving us.” He added that in showing love and fraternity towards the poor and migrants, one experiences salvation.

The meeting included Fr Mattia Ferrari; Stefano Croci, director of Migrantes Carpi; volunteer Giulia Bassoli; Luca Casarini, founder and mission leader of Mediterranea Saving Humans; and Sister Adriana Dominici from Spin Time Labs in Rome.

As the group shared their stories with Pope Francis, it was clear that their journeys, filled with trials and hope, resonate deeply, reminding us all of the power of compassion and the human spirit’s resilience.