Pope Francis received a group of ten refugees at the Vatican on Friday following a deal reached by the Vatican during his visit to Cyprus earlier this month.
Pope Francis was introduced to the ten refugees from the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Somalia and Syria with the help of volunteers and interpreters.
Some of them wished him "long life and good health" as the visit coincided with the Pontiff's 85th birthday.
The group gifted Francis a painting, drawn by an Afghan refugee now living in Italy, as a birthday present.
The painting depicted refugees arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos.
According to the Holy See press office the painter arrived in Europe after crossing the sea from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos before traveling to Italy.
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