Vatican City, Aug 11, 2016 / 09:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Thursday Pope Francis invited 21 Syrian refugees to join him for lunch at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, exchanging gifts, toys and drawings with the children.

The Syrian families were those brought by Pope Francis after his day-trip to Lesbos, Greece in April. Pope Francis brought the first group back to Rome with him on his flight April 16, and the second group arrived to Rome in mid-June.