The Pope from Lesbos sends a strong and clear message to Europe, shaking it from its indifference: “We must bitterly admit that this country, like others, is still under pressure and that in Europe there are those who persist in treating the problem as a business that it doesn’t concern him. ” Bergoglio takes stock of what has happened over the five years since the first visit to Lesbos: “Five years have passed since the visit made here with dear Brothers Bartolomeo and Ieronymos. After all this time we see that little has changed on the migration issue. Of course, many have committed themselves to welcoming and integrating, and I would like to thank the many volunteers and those at every level – institutional, social, charitable – who have undertaken great efforts, taking care of people and the migration issue. commitment to finance and build worthy reception facilities and I sincerely thank the local population for the great good they have done and the many sacrifices they have tried “.
“But – he denounces – we must bitterly admit that this country, like others, is still under pressure and that in Europe there are those who persist in treating the problem as a business that does not concern them. It is tragic. And how many conditions unworthy of it. How many hotspots where migrants and refugees live in conditions that are on the edge, without glimpsing solutions on the horizon! Yet respect for people and human rights, especially on the continent that does not fail to promote them in the world, should always be safeguarded, and the dignity of each one should come before everything! “.
“Sisters, brothers, I am here again to meet you – he said addressing the refugees – I am here to tell you that I am close to you. I am here to see your faces, to look you in the eyes. Eyes full of fear and expectation, eyes that have seen violence and poverty, eyes furrowed with too many tears “. Bergoglio recalls the words of Patriarch Bartholomew five years ago: “The Ecumenical Patriarch and dear Brother Bartholomew, five years ago on this island, said something that struck me: ‘Whoever is afraid of you has not looked you in the eye. he is afraid of you he has not seen your faces. He who is afraid of you does not see your children. He forgets that dignity and freedom transcend fear and division. He forgets that migration is not a problem in the Middle East and North Africa , Europe and Greece. It is a problem of the world “. Yes, it is a problem of the world, a humanitarian crisis that affects everyone”.
On the issue of migrants “everything seems to be in terrible hiding”, is the Pope’s denunciation. “The pandemic – Francesco observes – has affected us globally, made us all feel in the same boat, made us feel what it means to have the same fears”. “We understand that the big issues must be tackled together, because in today’s world fragmented solutions are inadequate. But while vaccinations are being laboriously carried out on a planetary level and something, despite many delays and uncertainties, seems to be moving in the fight against climate change, everything seems to be terribly in hiding with regard to migration “, denounces the Pope.
“And yet – says Bergoglio, shaking consciences – there are people, human lives at stake! Everyone’s future is at stake, which will be peaceful only if it is integrated. Only if reconciled with the weakest will the future be prosperous. Because when the poor are rejected, peace is rejected “.
“Closures and nationalisms – history teaches us – lead to disastrous consequences”, the Pontiff further denounced, adding: “It is an illusion to think that it is enough to safeguard oneself, defending oneself from the weakest who knock on the door. The future will put us again. more in contact with each other. To turn it to the good you don’t need unilateral actions, but wide-ranging policies “.
“History, I repeat, teaches this, but we have not yet learned it. Do not turn your back on reality, stop the continuous rebound of responsibility, – he warns – do not always delegate the migration issue to others, as if nobody cared and were it just a useless burden that someone is forced to shoulder! “.
“Sisters, brothers, – observes the Pope – your faces, your eyes ask us not to turn away, not to deny the humanity that unites us, to make your stories our own and not to forget your tragedies. . Wrote Elie Wiesel, witness of the greatest tragedy of the past century: ‘It is because I remember our common origin that I draw close to my brothers men. And because I refuse to forget that their future is as important as mine’ “.
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