Speaking on the Greek islet of Lesbos, where he met dozens of settlers, Pope Francis said they were being used for political propaganda.
He prompted focus on the causes of migration, similar as” forgotten wars”, rather of chastising those who feel their goods.
And he criticised the structure of walls to keep people out.
In Europe there are those who persist in treating the problem as a matter that doesn’t concern them-this is woeful,”he said.
” History teaches us that narrow tone- interest and nationalism lead to disastrous consequences.”
While the coronavirus epidemic had shown that major challenges had to be brazened together and there were some signs of this passing on climate change, there was little sign of such an approach to migration, he said.
“It’s easy to impact public opinion by breeding fear of the other,”Pope Francis said.
“The remote causes should be attacked, not the poor people who pay the consequences and are indeed used for political propaganda.”
The Pope cited war, profitable agreements”where the people have to pay”and the inflow of munitions as factors leading people to seek a better life away.
This was a speech delivered in front of deportees but aimed exactly at political leaders across the European mainland. The Pope’s words betrayed frustration at what he sees as the failure of politicians to adequately address the migratory issue.
