Pope Francis Asks Catholic Institutions To Shelter Refugees; Vatican Will House Two Families

Pope Francis has called for European Catholic institutions to give refuge to migrant families who are escaping from Syrian war and hunger.

"Facing the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees - fleeing death by war and famine, and journeying towards the hope of life - the Gospel calls, asking of us to be close to the smallest and forsaken, to give them a concrete hope and not just to tell them: 'Have courage, be patient!," he said, according to the Washington Post.

He was addressing the public on Sunday at St. Peter's Basilica, reported Express.

"Christian hope is more combative. Europe's bishops, the true pastors to back my call in their dioceses," he further said while calling each parish to shelter at least one refugee family, according to AFP. The pope also announced that the Vatican itself will offer refuge to at least two migrant families.

Refugees from Syria and other Asian countries were pouring into Austria and Germany after being held up for days by the Hungarian police in Budapest.

Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila had offered to give her home to refugees.

"We should all take a look in the mirror and ask how we can help. I hope this becomes some kind of people's movement that will inspire many others to shoulder part of the burden in this refugee housing crisis," she told Finnish broadcaster YLE, according to hngn.