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The pope spoke at length about the poor conditions of migrants who attempt to cross a sea or desert to reach safety but sometimes lose their lives in the process.
Auxiliary Bishop Paul McAleenan of Westminster condemned the appalling violence over the past week, especially that directed at migrants.
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero said: “We are talking about robberies, violence, rape, and being sold as slaves.”
To deal properly with the crises it faces, Europe must first have hope, Pope Francis said Wednesday at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis offered Mass Wednesday asking the Virgin Mary to help Christians recognize the face of Christ in each migrant and refugee.
The emergency caused by coronavirus has made the situation of many vulnerable people even more precarious; it has also highlighted that immigrants are essential to the fabric of our society, said Cardinal Michael Czerny.
Pope Francis decried the mistreatment of migrants and said that he is shocked by anti-immigration narratives within Europe during a conversation with Jesuits in Thailand published Thursday.