After visiting a refugee camp, the Pope has called on Europe and the rest of the world to look at these people forced to migrate and not see them as statistics or potential threats.
POPE FRANCIS
'The worries expressed by institutions and people, both in Greece and in other European countries, are understandable and legitimate. We must never forget, however, that migrants, rather than simply being a statistic, are first of all persons who have faces, names and individual stories. Europe is the homeland of human rights, and whoever sets foot on European soil ought to sense this, and thus become more aware of the duty to respect and defend those rights.â?
While speaking at the port of Lesbos, Pope Francis has asked to be active in their countries of origin to address the causes of immigration and not act with unilateral measures.
Specifically, he has asked the international community to withdraw any support for projects that hold hatred and violent acts in promoting arms trafficking.
While at seaside, the Pope and the other two Christian leaders prayed for the victims of forced migration.
POPE FRANCIS
'Merciful God, we pray to you for all the men, women and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life. Inspire us, as nations, communities and individuals, to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.â?
Later, they launched three wreaths into the ocean and prayed quietly as they paid their respects to the many victims that lost their lives at sea.
