Pope Francis has demanded nations ‘welcome, protect and integrate’ migrants
Pope Francis has demanded nations ‘welcome, protect and integrate’ migrants and blasted politicians who ‘foment fear’ for political gain.
He made the comments in a message issued in eight languages by the Vatican ahead of the Catholic Church’s annual World Peace Day on January 1.
Francis said many countries where migrants and refugees have gone have seen ‘the spread of rhetoric decrying the risks posed to national security or the high cost of welcoming new arrivals.’
Francis added: ‘Those who – for what may be political reasons – foment fear of migrants instead of building peace, are sowing violence, racial discrimination and xenophobia, which are matters of great concern for all those concerned for the safety of every human being.’
Anti-migrant politics have been gaining currency across Europe, including in the Vatican’s neighbour Italy, where populist and right-wing parties are keen on making gains in national elections next year.
Francis noted that all indications point to global migration continuing for the future.
‘Some consider this a threat,’ he said. ‘For my part, I ask you to view it with confidence as an opportunity to build peace.’
The pope said those ‘responsible for the public good’ should pursue ‘policies of welcome’ that bear in mind the needs of all members of the human family and ‘the welfare of each.’
Francis defined ‘welcoming’ as ‘expanding legal pathways for entry and no longer pushing migrants and displaced people toward countries where they face persecution and violence.’
Francis expressed his ‘heartfelt hope’ that in 2018, the United Nations would ‘draft and approve two Global Compacts, one for safe, orderly and regular migration and the other for refugees.’
He also suggested that less wealthy countries could take in more refugees if the international community provided the necessary funds.
After noting that there are 22.5million refugees in the world, Francis said government leaders ‘have a clear responsibility toward their own communities, whose legitimate rights and harmonious development they must ensure.’
But that could be done while still welcoming, protecting and integrating migrants into their societies, he said.
Francis noted that all indications point to global migration continuing for the future