Pope Francis Urges European Leaders to Open Ports & Show Compassion to Migrants in Powerful Plea

Pope Francis made a powerful plea to French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders to open their ports to migrants fleeing hardship and poverty. In a gathering of regional bishops in Marseille, the Pope emphasized that Europe is not facing a migration emergency but rather a long-term reality that governments must deal with humanely. He called for legal pathways to citizenship for migrants and urged European countries to respond with charity rather than using alarmist propaganda to justify closing their doors.

The Mediterranean Sea, a perilous crossing for many migrants, was also a focus of the Pope's remarks. He urged that it should be a beacon of hope, not a graveyard of desperation. Francis highlighted the contrast between the shores of affluence, consumerism, and waste on one side and the poverty and instability on the other, asserting that the Mediterranean cries out for justice. The Pope's visit to Marseille, which drew an estimated 150,000 well-wishers, coincided with Italy's far-right-led government threatening to organize a naval blockade of Tunisia and increase repatriations in response to a new wave of arriving migrants. In response, the French government has strengthened patrols on its southern border to prevent migrants in Italy from crossing over.

During his bilateral meeting with President Macron, Pope Francis discussed the contentious issue of euthanasia. Macron is expected to unveil a bill legalizing end-of-life options in France, but he delayed the presentation to avoid interfering with the Pope's visit. The Pope shared his opposition to euthanasia, criticizing it as a symptom of a "throwaway culture" that treats the elderly and infirm as dispensable. He condemned supporters of assisted suicide for providing false pretenses of a dignified death.

The Pope's call for compassion towards migrants and the rejection of euthanasia resonated with many residents of Marseille, a city known for its multicultural hospitality. Migrants and their advocates expressed hope that the Pope's message signified that someone in Europe was sympathetic to their plight. Pope Francis' visit to Marseille sparked important discussions on the humanitarian treatment of migrants and the sensitive issue of euthanasia. As the political correspondent for The Times of Israel, I witness firsthand the impact of these issues on governments and societies. Your support helps us continue to provide informed coverage during these tumultuous times. If you appreciate our coverage, consider joining the ToI Community today.