Pope Francis, the Vatican's leader, called on political powers today, Sunday, to heal the "open wound" caused by the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean, stating that he prayed for 41 people who lost their lives in a boat sinking earlier this month. After the weekly prayer, Pope Francis said, "We sadly and shamefully declare that around two thousand men, women, and children have died at sea since the beginning of the year while attempting to reach Europe." He added, "I encourage political and diplomatic forces that are working to heal this wound in the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood, and I appreciate the efforts of those who work to save migrants and prevent shipwrecks."
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that port officials in the Italian island of Sicily retrieved a body today after a boat carrying 13 migrants capsized last night off the nearby island of Marittimo. Reports indicate that another person is feared to have died in this incident. French authorities reported that six people died yesterday, Saturday, after a migrant boat capsized while trying to cross the English Channel from France to Britain in the early hours of yesterday. There are expectations that two more individuals are missing.
Disasters at sea that claim the lives of migrants trying to reach Europe are common. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 22,000 people have died or gone missing in the waters of the Mediterranean since 2014.
