Catholic church ministers to Italy’s migrant influx

CATANIA, Italy — In a time when Italy’s immigration centers are long since full, the Catholic church is stepping up to minister to the estimated 34,000 migrants that have arrived in the country in 2015 through a center set up by Caritas, an international Catholic charity. 

First opened in 2007 to offer food and advice to people living in extreme poverty, the center has welcomed an increasing number of migrants from war-torn African countries.

All those who pass through the center are offered breakfast and dinner by a small army of Caritas volunteers. The Catania center also seeks to create Pope Francis’ desire of “a church for the poor” by holding Catholic services. (RNS)