Pope Francis hires migrant Pato for the Vatican Museums

Although his name is Mbengue Nyimbilo Crepin, everyone knows him as Pato. Just a year ago, after leaving Cameroon in search of a better life, he lost his wife and his only daughter in the Libyan desert. This tragic story went around the world, even reaching the ears of Pope Francis.

From July 10, by decision of the Holy Father, Pato will have a new job in the Vatican. Specifically, he will be a room guard at the Vatican Museums, according to the Vatican expert. Eva Fernandez.

The tragic story of Pato and his family

Despite having managed to reach Tunisia from Cameroon, Pato, his wife Fati and their 6-year-old daughter Marie were forced to return to the desert after being expelled by the authorities.

Due to the terrible conditions in which they found themselves, Pato felt unwell and lacked the strength to continue. Therefore, he encouraged them to continue walking through the desert without him, along with 30 other migrants who were also heading to Libya.

After a few days, some men found Pato and offered him water and help. Shortly after, he received the terrible news when he saw a photograph where the bodies of Fati and Marie appeared lifeless in the sand.

Thanks to the help of the platform Mediterranea Saving Humanswas able to reach Italy and met the Holy Father for the first time in the Vatican in November 2023.

At that meeting, the Pontiff showed him his closeness and assured him that he had prayed a lot for his family, who died due to the high temperatures and lack of water.

Pato also visited Pope Francis with a group of migrants on July 3, when they both merged in a big hug.

Pope Francis and the situation of migrants

The Holy Father has denounced the situation of migrants and urged care for the dignity of those who are forced to leave their countries on repeated occasions throughout his Pontificate.

It has also encouraged welcome refugees “who knock on our door” and made calls to the international community for the integration of these people in the host countries.

On one occasion, he assured that migrants “represent the suffering flesh of Christwhen they are forced to abandon their land, to face the risks and tribulations of a hard path, finding no other way out.”

“Do not be afraid to look others in the eyes because they are not a discard, but they are also part of the human family and the family of the children of God,” he stated.

It should be remembered that the prayer intention of Pope Francis last June was for those fleeing war or hunger and who are forced to make journeys “full of danger and violence,” so that they “find welcome and new opportunities for life” in the countries where they live. they welcome