By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Sunday called on authorities to “respect the humanity” of migrants and work to help them after Britain and France exchanged barbs over the death of 27 migrants trying to cross the Canal of La Mancha.
Francisco devoted most of his Sunday message to defending migrants, telling several thousand people in St. Peter’s Square that he was in pain over the recent tragedies.
“Let’s think about how many migrants are exposed these days to very serious dangers and how many are losing their lives on our borders,” he said.
“I feel pain when I hear news of the situation in which so many find themselves, those who died in the English Channel, those on the border with Belarus, many of whom are children, those who are drowning in the Mediterranean,” he said.
Francisco raised his voice when he said “children”.
After the English Channel drownings, French President Emmanuel Macron told the UK he needed to “get serious” or remain blocked from discussions on how to stem the flow of migrants escaping war and poverty.
France subsequently canceled an invitation to British Interior Minister Priti Patel to attend a meeting on the matter on Sunday in Calais.
“I renew my sincere appeal to those who can contribute to solving these problems, in particular civil and military authorities, for understanding and dialogue to finally prevail over all types of exploitation and to direct their will and efforts towards solutions that respect the humanity of these people,” the pope said.
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