Pope Francis emphasized the value of migrants on Monday during a debate in many countries on limiting immigration.
“Many countries need migrants,” the head of the Catholic Church said, pointing to falling birth rates and an aging population.
“Let us not forget that migrants must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated,” he said during an audience at the Vatican.
He noted that Italy, from where his own parents had emigrated to Argentina, did not have enough children and that the average age was now 46. “Italy needs migrants,” Francis said.
Since the beginning of his papacy, Francis has spoken out in favor of migrants. His first official trip in 2013 took him to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where many boat refugees come ashore after the dangerous crossing from the North African coast.
