VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has invited more than 2,000 people to a special circus show in Rome today as part of an initiative organized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Among those invited were refugee families from Ukraine, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

A special circus show will be presented by the Ronnie Roller Circus Company. Among the people invited are refugees, the homeless, prisoners and refugee families with children from Ukraine, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, according to a statement from the dicastery, also known as the Apostolic Alms Office.

Some families living in different parts of Rome and more than 150 homeless people living on the streets and in various dormitories in the Roman suburb of Torvianica are invited. They will be accompanied by volunteers including Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity.

In a statement, Papal Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski explained the occasion as a way to offer a few hours of calm to those who need help to maintain hope in the face of great difficulties in life.

“As the Pope said when meeting artists, the Circus puts us in touch with the beauty that always cheers us up and makes us go beyond difficulties, it is a way to reach the Lord."