Pope Francis returns to talk about migrants during the Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille.
«Against the terrible scourge of the exploitation of human beings, the solution is not to reject, but to ensure, according to each individual's possibilities, a large number of legal and regular entries, sustainable thanks to fair reception on the part of the European continent, in the context of collaboration with the countries of origin. Saying 'enough', however, is closing your eyes; trying now to 'save oneself' will turn into a tragedy tomorrow ", said the Pontiff.
«Various Mediterranean ports closed – he continues - And two words resonated, fueling people's fears: 'invasion' and 'emergency'. But those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they seek hospitality, they seek life ."
«As for the emergency - he stated - the migratory phenomenon is not so much a temporary emergency, always good for spreading alarmist propaganda, but a fact of our times , a process which involves three continents around the Mediterranean and which must be governed with wise foresight: with European responsibility".
And again: «There is a cry of pain that resonates more than any other, and which is transforming the mare nostrum into mare mortuum, the Mediterranean from the cradle of civilization to the tomb of dignity. It is the suffocated cry of migrant brothers and sisters."
Bergoglio, in addition to French President Emmanuel Macron, also met some people belonging to various organizations involved in assisting and rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
At 7.15pm the Pope will leave Marseille and take the plane that will take him to Rome around 8.50pm.
(Unioneonline/D)