403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Pope calls for global response to boat people crisis
(MENAFN- Arab News) ROME: Pope Francis on Saturday urged the international community to act over a deadly surge in the numbers of migrants attempting to reach Italy via perilous sea crossings from north Africa.
The pontiff's appeal came at the end of a week in which more than 450 people are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean and more than 11000 other would-be immigrants to Europe have been rescued by Italy's coast guard merchant ships or vessels involved in a much-criticized European Union maritime border patrol operation.
The latest consignment a group of more than 450 refugees including 50 children two newborn babies and eight pregnant women disembarked at Messina on Sicily on Saturday morning following a rescue by the Italian navy ship the Driade.
'I want to express my gratitude for Italy's undertaking in welcoming the numerous migrants seeking refuge at the risk of their lives' Francis said.
'It is evident that the proportions of the phenomenon demand much greater involvement. We must not tire in our attempts to solicit a more extensive response at the European and international level.'
The pope was speaking during his first official meeting with new Italian President Sergio Mattarella who reiterated Rome's longstanding call for more support from its EU partners in dealing with the humanitarian crisis.
'These broken lives compromise the dignity of the international community and we are in danger of losing our humanity' Mattarella said.
The pontiff's appeal came at the end of a week in which more than 450 people are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean and more than 11000 other would-be immigrants to Europe have been rescued by Italy's coast guard merchant ships or vessels involved in a much-criticized European Union maritime border patrol operation.
The latest consignment a group of more than 450 refugees including 50 children two newborn babies and eight pregnant women disembarked at Messina on Sicily on Saturday morning following a rescue by the Italian navy ship the Driade.
'I want to express my gratitude for Italy's undertaking in welcoming the numerous migrants seeking refuge at the risk of their lives' Francis said.
'It is evident that the proportions of the phenomenon demand much greater involvement. We must not tire in our attempts to solicit a more extensive response at the European and international level.'
The pope was speaking during his first official meeting with new Italian President Sergio Mattarella who reiterated Rome's longstanding call for more support from its EU partners in dealing with the humanitarian crisis.
'These broken lives compromise the dignity of the international community and we are in danger of losing our humanity' Mattarella said.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment