Pope Francis on Saturday returned to Rome with three Syrian families after visiting the refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos, Reuters reported. Twelve people, including six children, accompanied the pontiff on his plane to Rome, a statement issued by the Vatican said. The families were selected from lots drawn, according to media reports.

Earlier, he had urged the world to adopt a humanitarian approach to the plight of refugees in Europe. Speaking to refugees on the island, he said, "You are not alone...do not lose hope." He also said he wanted to take some refugees back to the Vatican after his five-hour visit, an official from the refugee coordination agency of Greece said, AFP reported.

The Pope was visiting the island with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos, who is the head of the Church of Greece. They signed a joint declaration urging the international community to implement "diplomatic, political and charitable initiatives" to face this "humanitarian crisis".

The pontiff's arrival at the Moria Refugee Camp in Lesbos was marked with emotional scenes of some people seeking his blessings, while others held up signs that read "We want freedom", "Let my people go" and "Papa cherche a nous sauver (Pope, try to save us)". He is scheduled to say a prayer at Lesbos harbour for the scores of people who drowned trying to make their way across the Aegean Sea in their attempts to reach Europe.

His visit comes after a controversial agreement between the European Union and Turkey came into effect on April 4. According to the deal, Ankara will take in refugees crossing the Aegean Sea to enter Greece illegally in return for money, visa-free travel and progress in negotiations for Turkey to join the EU. The agreement was heavily criticised by many rights groups, and the United Nations said deporting refugees without considering asylum applications could be illegal by international laws. The region is facing its worst refugee crisis since World War II.