Pope Calls to Prioritize Immigrants’ Safety over National Security

Pope urges world leaders to be sympathetic about refugees

Political leaders from all over the world were urged by Pope Francis to defend migrants.[/tweetit] He said that migrant safety must be paramount, arguing that they should also surpass national security concerns. The pontiff continued to say that refugees must not be collectively deported. This politically charged message is for the January 14, 2018 World Day of Migrants and Refugees event held by the Catholic Church. The pope's message comes at a time when Europeans increasingly harbor anti-immigrant sentiment after multiple Islamic extremist attacks and droves of migrant arrivals to Europe.

Pope Calls to Prioritize Immigrants’ Safety over National Security[/tweetthis]

Pope Francis, in his message, demanded that governments should welcome, integrate, protect, and promote migrants. He said the message of love said by Jesus has its roots in welcoming strangers of all ages, even if they were rejected elsewhere. The pontiff asked for a simplified and increased process of giving temporary and humanitarian visas. He roundly rejected arbitrary expulsions, deeming them as “unsuitable.” According to the pope, the principle of making sure that every person's dignity "obliges us to always prioritize personal safety over national security.&quot

In his message, ahead of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees day organized by Roman Catholic Church, the pope said, "Solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience – from departure through journey to arrival and return.” The pontiff requested a wider range of options through which the refugees and migrants could enter their destination countries in a legal and safe manner.

Pope Francis' statement references a number of fears voiced in a number of European nations that the inflow of refugees may lead to host countries' suffering from security problems. He said that the border guards must "to ensure that agents in charge of border control are properly trained." He also requested an "alternative solutions to detention" for illegal immigrants saying that "collective and arbitrary expulsions of migrants and refugees are not suitable solutions." As per the pontiff, migrants can be viewed as "a true resource for the communities that welcome them" and should have access to all communication means, everyday rights and also access appropriate justice.

@Pontifex_it: Rights of Muslim migrants override national security concerns https://t.co/a66FaZzEKp
Enemy of our Nation and our People

— Bongano (@bongano_) August 21, 2017

The pope has earlier severely criticized anti-immigrant stands taken by a number of world leaders, including President Donald J. Trump. He had condemned in no uncertain terms the proposed United States – Mexico border wall.

Resources

• Reuters
• ABC News
• World Religion News

Follow the Conversation on Twitter