O Pope Leo XIV spoke about the rights of migrants in the United States and called for a “deep reflection” about the treatment they have received in detention centers. The statements to journalists were made as he left his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, in Italy, this Tuesday, according to the Associated Press (AP).
“Many of the people who lived for years and years and years without ever causing problems have been deeply affected by what is happening now”he told AP, pointing out that the scriptures emphasize the question that will be asked in the end of the world.
“How did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him, or not? I think there is a deep reflection that needs to be done about what is happening.”
The leader of Catholic Churchwho last month encouraged union leaders from Chicago (his homeland) visiting Italy to advocate for immigrants and welcome minorities, also called on authorities to allow pastors to have access to detained migrants.
“The spiritual rights of people who have been detained must also be considered. They have often been separated from their families. No one knows what is going on, but their spiritual needs must be met.”
“The important thing is to seek dialogue”
About attacks in Venezuelacarried out by the Trump administration to combat drug trafficking in the region, Leo XIV pointed out that the military action only “increased tension”, adding that the United States ships in the Caribbean Sea they only advanced closer to the coastline. “The important thing is to seek dialogue,” he said.
The Supreme Pontiff, who will receive the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, at the Vatican on Thursday, also stated that the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas remains “very fragile”noting that both parties must find a future form of governance in which the “rights of all people” are guaranteed.
“Israel said one thing and then, sometimes, did another”, he pointed out, in reference to the attacks against the Palestinians after the agreement. “We must try to work together for justice for all people.”
Text written by André Sousa and edited by Hélder Gomes