Citing the Gospel, Pope Francis Says Migrants ‘Must Be Welcomed’ and ‘Integrated’

Pope Francis has cited the Gospel while calling for migrants to be “welcomed, encouraged and integrated” as Europe and the United States struggle to cater to unprecedented levels of global mass migration.

The pontiff, a steadfast advocate for asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants, said that many migrants are faced with the “drama of forced migration” and make treacherous journeys by sea in search of better lives which can sometimes lead to tragedy.

Speaking to an Italian pro-immigrant nonprofit called “ResQ” on Wednesday, he said needy migrants are often “exploited, rejected, abused and reduced to slavery” while traveling to the unknown.

He praised groups like ResQ which seeks to protect desperate migrants and refugees in danger in the Mediterranean Sea. The group has its own 128-foot long rescue boat that helps save migrants at sea.

“So we welcome the action of those who do not just observe things, criticizing from afar, but who get involved, offering some of their time, their ingenuity and their resources to alleviate the suffering of migrants, to save them, welcome them and integrate them,” Pope Francis said.

“The migrant must be welcomed, accompanied, encouraged and integrated. This generosity, this industriousness is in harmony with the Gospel, which invites us to do good to everyone, and in particular the last, the poorest, the most abandoned, the sick, people in danger.”

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“Dear friends, keep going forward! May Mary, help[er] of migrants, assist you in your work. I bless you and I accompany you with prayer.”

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