Pope Francis delivered a powerful message during his weekly general audience at the Vatican, reiterating his stance on the global migration crisis and condemning the systematic rejection of migrants as a ‘grave sin’. The pontiff emphasized the tragic transformation of the Mediterranean Sea into a ‘cemetery,’ stating, ‘The Mediterranean, once a place of communication between peoples and civilizations, has now become a cemetery, and the tragedy is that most of these deaths could have been prevented’.The Pope criticized restrictive immigration policies, asserting that the solution to the migration flow does not lie in ‘more restrictive laws’ or ‘militarizing borders’. Instead, he called for expanding ‘safe and regular access routes for migrants, facilitating refuge for those fleeing wars, violence, and persecution, and promoting a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity, and solidarity’.In a striking statement, Pope Francis said, ‘The Lord is with the migrants, not with those who reject them’. He specifically addressed the abandonment of migrants in deserts, noting, ‘Sometimes in the desert, migrants are taken and left. In the age of satellites and drones, there are men, women, and children migrants that no one should see. Only God sees and hears their cry. This is a cruelty of our civilization’.The Pope praised the efforts of ‘good Samaritans’ who work to rescue and save migrants, specifically mentioning the Mediterranea Saving Humans organization for their recent search and rescue operation at sea. He encouraged others to contribute to this cause, even through prayer, stating, ‘There are many ways, and first and foremost – prayer’.Pope Francis concluded with a powerful appeal: ‘Let us unite our hearts and forces, so that the seas and deserts are not cemeteries, but spaces where God can open paths of freedom and fraternity’. His words echo the ongoing challenges of immigration in Europe and beyond, as he continues to be a fervent defender of the cause of exiles since his election in 2013.
Key points
- Pope Francis condemned the systematic rejection of migrants as a ‘grave sin’.
- The Pope called for expanding safe and legal migration routes instead of restrictive policies.
- He praised rescue efforts, specifically mentioning the Mediterranea Saving Humans organization.
- The pontiff emphasized the need for global governance of migration based on justice and solidarity.
