Pope visits refugee center, speaks with Syrian family

ROME, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Pope Francis visited the soup kitchen and shelter of Rome's Astalli refugee center Tuesday, and singled out a Syrian family to hear their story.

The family was given time to speak with the Pope as representatives of the emergency in their homeland, Time Magazine reported.

The head of the Syrian family, identified as Carol, later said, "The Syrians in Europe feel a great responsibility to not be a burden. We want to be an active part of a new society."

The refugee center served 21,000 people in 2012, with the soup kitchen, three shelters, an Italian language school and legal services, Vatican Radio said.