MARSEILLE: Pope Francis has said that the European governments have an obligation to provide asylum to those who use see routes to escape conflicts adding the migrants now days face lack of humanity, Western media reported on Friday.
The 86-year-old pope is currently in France to attend a meeting of Mediterranean-area Catholic bishops.
People at risk of drowning must be rescued: Pope
Talking to journalists he said that people who are at risk of drowning must be rescued. He added it is obligation of humanity and civilization to save people in danger. He warned the governments against the fanaticism of indifference.
The Pope upon his arrival in France was welcomed by country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who had stated that Paris would not take any of the migrants coming on the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The increase in surge of migrant boats coming from North Africa to Italy has started a heated debate all over the Europe on to share responsibility for the migrant influx.
The Pope lauded the efforts of the NGOs in rescuing migrants in danger at sea and strongly condemned efforts to stop them terming such attempts as gestures of hate.
Fabienne Lassalle, deputy director of SOS Mediterrannee told media that the remarks of the Pope would have an impact and people would stop criminalising the migrants.
The group has been carrying out rescue missions in the Mediterranean since 2015.
Pope Francis on Saturday will take part in the closing session of the “Mediterranean Meetings” event.
