Pope Francis appeals for the security and dignity of migrants

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

After reciting the Angelus at noon on Sunday with thousands of the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis made an appeal regarding “the shipwreck of boats laden with migrants in the waters of the Mediterranean” which have been reported in the news in the past few weeks.

“I express my pain before this tragedy,” he said. He then assured his thoughts and prayers both for the migrants involved, and for their families.

He concluded directing a strong appeal to the international community asking them to “act decisively and immediately so that similar tragedies might be avoided and to guarantee the safety, respect for human rights, and the dignity” of all those involved.