During his visit to Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis said the migrant crisis was the "greatest humanitarian catastrophe since World War Two" and said Europe must deal with the migrant crisis in a "way that is worthy of our common humanity".
Pope Francis has taken twelve Syrian refugees, including six children, home to Rome with him after visiting migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos.
The hugely symbolic gesture will be seen as a damning indictment of European leaders' reaction to the migrant crisis on Europe's and the EU deal to deport migrants to Italy.
The Pope said he wanted to make a "gesture of welcome" by taking the three families back to the Vatican with him, where they will be cared for and supported.
He said his visit was "marked by sadness" and as he visited the shores, where hundreds of migrants have lost their lives attempting the dangerous crossing to Lesbos, he threw a wreath into the sea saying: "we are all migrants".
Migrants at the Moira detention camp, where 2,300 people are housed, wept as they met the Pope, some held signs saying "We are also human" and "Pope you are our hope".
He was shown artwork by some of the children there and was given a picture by one girl, telling his staff: "Don't fold it, I want it on my desk."
The three families left the island with the Pope on his plane after addressing the crowds, telling them: "We hope that the world will heed these scenes of tragic and indeed desperate need, and respond in a way worthy of our common humanity."
Two of the families came from Damascus and one from Deir Azzor. All of them had seen their homes bombed.
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