DeKalb GA News

Pope Francis condemned efforts to repel migrants as a "grave sin" during his General Audience on Wednesday, aligning himself with proponents of open borders. The Pope urged followers to embrace migrants without hesitation, framing the issue around the hardships faced by migrants and highlighting the tragedies in regions like the Mediterranean.

"I have spoken about the Mediterranean many times, because I am the Bishop of Rome and because it is emblematic: the mare nostrum, a place of communication between peoples and civilizations, has become – the mare nostrum – it has become a cemetery," said Pope Francis. He emphasized that many migrant deaths could have been prevented and criticized those who systematically repel migrants as committing a grave sin.

The Pope also spoke about deserts becoming cemeteries for migrants, referencing instances where individuals were abandoned in these harsh environments. "In the time of satellites and drones, there are migrant men, women and children that no-one must see: they are hidden. Only God sees them and hears their cry. And this is a cruelty of our civilization," he stated.

Pope Francis argued against restrictive laws and militarized borders as solutions to migration issues. Instead, he advocated for safe and legal access routes for migrants fleeing war, violence, persecution, and disasters. He called for global governance based on justice, fraternity, and solidarity to address migration effectively.

"Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: migrants should not be in those seas and in those lethal deserts... we will obtain [solutions] by extending safe and legal access routes for migrants... by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity," he concluded.

The Pope's remarks have sparked debate among those advocating for secure borders versus those supporting more open policies.