DHAKA: Pope Francis is due to visit the Greek island of Lesbos to show support for refugees trying to reach Europe.

The Pope, who will be met by Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, will visit a camp for more than 3,000 people who are awaiting either processing of asylum claims or deportation to Turkey.

Lesbos has been a key entry point into Europe for migrants in the past year.

Thousands are now stuck on the island after last month's deal between Europe and Turkey to try to ease the flow.

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople - the spiritual head of the world’s Orthodox Christians - will visit the Moria detention centre.

The Vatican insists the Pope’s visit is purely humanitarian and religious in nature and should not be seen as a criticism of the deportations, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1213 HRS, APR 16, 2016
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