Pope Francis urged countries on Thursday to manage migrant flows in the best possible way and to expand channels that allow them to move safely and regularly, as the United States struggles to cope with a wave of new arrivals at its southern border. The Pope called for a "joint commitment" in addressing migration, urging politicians in countries of origin to implement "transparent, honest, and forward-looking" policies while wealthy nations distance themselves from any form of "economic colonization" that exploits natural resources in poorer countries.
The Vatican leader stated that "persecution, wars, extreme weather phenomena, and abject poverty are among the main causes of current forced migration," emphasizing that migrants flee due to poverty, fear, and despair. He urged countries to work together to tackle these root causes. This stance from the Pope comes on the occasion of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrated annually by the Roman Catholic Church, this year under the theme "Free to Choose Between Migration or Staying."
