Pope Appeals to World Leaders: Open Borders to Refugees
- By Gary Nguyen --
- 26 Mar 2016 --
Pope urges compassion in dealing with the immigrant crisis.
Pope Francis was born in Argentina, to Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori, two Italian immigrants. He has always been a strong advocate for immigrants. Last Wednesday, Pope Francis again appealed to the world leaders to open their borders for the thousands of migrants who had to flee their homeland because of war and violence. He said the tens of thousands of people waiting at the borders, who do not have a home anymore, who are starving, may feel like God have abandoned them.
Pope Appeals to World Leaders: Open Borders to Refugees[/tweetthis]
Pope Francis asked how is it possible that so much pain and suffering can be inflicted upon innocent children and men and women. He was speaking to the thousands of people/pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square during his weekly audience. He gave hope to the people saying that all the wars and violence in the world does not mean that God is absent.
He asked not to give in to despair, but continue to be confident that the good will preside over evil, and the Lord will dry the tears of the suffering people and free them from fear. He quoted prophet Jeremiah who said that the exiles will be able to return to their land.
He spoke about mercy, quoting from the scriptures, throughout his speech. He said that the period of exile was devastating for the Israelites. However, through their suffering and pain, God was with them and he had a plan for them. In the end, he led them back to their homeland. He said that the Israelites getting back their homeland is a sign of God's infinite love. He said that God will not abandon his children under any circumstances.
In 2015, more than a million people fleeing their country because of war and violence started flowing into the European Union. Many of the European countries shut their borders, thus trapping thousands of people at the borders. Pope Francis has been speaking about this situation ever since it happened, urging world leaders to welcome the migrants into their countries. Last month, the Holy Father praised the efforts of Greece in dealing with the migrant crisis.
As of now, Vatican is playing host to two refugee families, one of them a Syrian family. He asked the European countries to open their borders and let the refugees in. He has also requested every Catholic parish in the area to give asylum to at least one refugee family. Pope Francis has asked the world leaders to be more compassionate in dealing with the immigrant crisis.