Christians are responsible for welcoming and integrating migrants into their communities, according to Pope Francis during his renewed plea to not reject the people who need help.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis addressed the International Forum on Migration and Peace in Rome and urged people to change their attitude toward people in need. The pontiff spoke against populist rhetorics that have created figures like Adolf Hitler who “destroyed” the people who voted for him, the News Observer relays.
“In the face of tragedies which take the lives of so many migrants and refugees – conflicts, persecutions, forms of abuse, violence, death – expressions of empathy and compassion cannot help but spontaneously well-up,” said Pope Francis. “Solidarity is born precisely from the capacity to understand the needs of our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and to take responsibility for these needs.” …show more content…
He talked about St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese immigrant who became a nun in 19th century Europe, the Catholic Herald reports.
In addition, the pope warned against paying back evil with evil. He said a Christians should instead overcome evil with good and defeat offenses with forgiveness to promote peace.
The pope’s appeal to build “bridge not walls” is his way of urging countries to open their doors to migrants. During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border last year, he was asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to put up a border wall. The pontiff responded by saying building a wall is “not Christian.”
Aside from that, Pope Francis also highlighted the plight of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar, a Buddhist majority country. Although the group is not Christian, the pontiff said they are “good people, peaceful people” who have suffered discrimination, torture and death simply for practicing their Muslim
On Tuesday, Pope Francis addressed the International Forum on Migration and Peace in Rome and urged people to change their attitude toward people in need. The pontiff spoke against populist rhetorics that have created figures like Adolf Hitler who “destroyed” the people who voted for him, the News Observer relays.
“In the face of tragedies which take the lives of so many migrants and refugees – conflicts, persecutions, forms of abuse, violence, death – expressions of empathy and compassion cannot help but spontaneously well-up,” said Pope Francis. “Solidarity is born precisely from the capacity to understand the needs of our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and to take responsibility for these needs.” …show more content…
He talked about St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese immigrant who became a nun in 19th century Europe, the Catholic Herald reports.
In addition, the pope warned against paying back evil with evil. He said a Christians should instead overcome evil with good and defeat offenses with forgiveness to promote peace.
The pope’s appeal to build “bridge not walls” is his way of urging countries to open their doors to migrants. During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border last year, he was asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to put up a border wall. The pontiff responded by saying building a wall is “not Christian.”
Aside from that, Pope Francis also highlighted the plight of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar, a Buddhist majority country. Although the group is not Christian, the pontiff said they are “good people, peaceful people” who have suffered discrimination, torture and death simply for practicing their Muslim