The Pope Francis Thread

[Jocose]

https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1703199587291496949?s=20

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/pope-in-marseille-live-coverage/2023/09/ahead-of-papal-visit-marseille-cardinal-stresses-balance-on-immigration

Ahead of papal visit, Marseille cardinal stresses balance on immigration

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Rome — With European tensions on migration flaring up ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to Marseille for a summit on the Mediterranean region, the city’s cardinal has stressed the need for a balanced approach.

“From my view, it is necessary to avoid two obstacles that are two forms of speech: The first is irenic speech on welcome for everyone, without limits,” said Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille during a recent media roundtable.

Such language is often used by “people … who don’t live in neighborhoods that have to sustain these populations and situations,” Aveline said, pointing to drug trafficking as an example.

Yet the French cardinal also cautioned against “aggressive speech,” which, he said, “always pronounces the migrant as universally guilty for all of the country’s problems. It’s speech which in fact wants to sow war among the people” to garner political support, he said.

“But the people who have this type of speech don’t live in these neighborhoods, and don’t live the wars that are being sown,” Aveline said, insisting that the Church’s role in engaging the migration issue is “to avoid these two speeches and the very, very, very delicate line of balance on welcome and the problems.”

Pope Francis will travel to Marseille Sept. 22–23 for a third edition of the Rencontres Méditerranéennes, or “Mediterranean Meetings,” following similar gatherings of political and ecclesiastical leaders in Bari and Florence.

The summit is expected to draw 60 representatives of churches from the five shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and around 60 young people from the same areas to discuss the current political, economic, and environmental challenges of the Mediterranean region.

[…]

Of the various topics to be discussed, including the environment, poverty, and violent conflict, migration is expected to loom largest, with Pope Francis, who has made the issue of migration a cornerstone of his papacy, effectively saying so himself during his Sept. 17 Sunday Angelus address.

Speaking to faithful in St. Peter’s Square, the pope Sunday said he will go to the meeting in Marseille to “promote processes of peace, collaboration, and integration around the mare nostrum, with particular attention to the migratory phenomenon.”

“This represents a challenge that is not easy, as we also see from the news of recent days, but which must be faced together, as is essential for everyone’s future, which will only be prosperous if built on fraternity, putting human dignity, concrete people, in first place, above all the neediest,” he said.

[…]

In terms of the Church’s role, Aveline said it must be “prophetic” when it comes to migration, fostering closeness, fidelity and genuine reflection on how best to move forward.

He noted that each person, in addition to having the right to migrate, also has a right not to migrate, and said reflection is also needed on this point.

“Reflection on this right, not to migrate, can develop other attitudes,” he said. “We must reflect on how to change some attitudes which are truly politically aggressive, how to change many things to ensure this right not to migrate.”

Aveline also stressed the importance for the Church to remember the dignity of each person and of human life a central component of any strategic approach, saying, “Every person is a brother or sister for whom Christ died.”

He also said “the unity of the entire human family” is another factor that must be considered when debating the issue, and that while politics is unavoidable, “a political argument that’s non-partisan” is what is most useful.

[…]

In his Sunday Angelus remarks, Pope Francis asked faithful to pray for his visit to Marseille, and thanked the civil and ecclesial authorities who organized both the logistics, and the discussion.

Calling Marseille “a city rich in people, called to be a port of hope,” the pope offered his personal greeting to its inhabitants, saying he is eagerly waiting “to meet many dear brothers and sisters.”

[Jocose]

https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2 ... ed-cyprus/

ROME — Pope Francis urged leaders of the island nation of Cyprus to be more welcoming to migrants, even as the country flounders in trying to deal with the mass migration currently overwhelming it.

“You are an open door, a harbour that unites,” the pope told civil authorities late Thursday following his arrival in the country. “Cyprus, as a crossroads of civilizations, has an innate vocation to encounter, favoured by the welcoming character of the Cypriot people.”

The beauty of this land “comes from the cultures which over the centuries have met and blended here,” the pontiff asserted. “Today too, the light of Cyprus is richly variegated. Many peoples and nations have contributed different shades and tints to this people.”

“I think too of the presence of many immigrants: percentagewise, more than any other country of the European Union,” he continued. “To preserve the multicolored and multifaceted beauty of the whole is no easy thing. As in the formation of a pearl, it takes time and patience; it demands a broad vision capable of embracing a variety of cultures and looking to the future with foresight.”

“I think in this regard of the importance of protecting and supporting all the members of society, especially those who are statistically a minority,” he urged.

In an extended metaphor, Francis compared Cyprus to a pearl that “develops its beauty in situations of difficulty.”


A Lebanese worshipper holds a sign as she attends mass by Pope Francis at Nicosia’s main football stadium, in the Cypriot capital Nicosia, Europe’s last divided capital, on December 3, 2021. (CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images)

“It is born in obscurity, when the oyster ‘suffers’ after experiencing an unexpected threat to its safety, such as a grain of sand that irritates it,” he said. “To protect itself, it reacts by assimilating the thing that wounded it: it encloses the foreign body that endangers it and makes it into something beautiful: a pearl.”

Let us think of the Mediterranean Sea, “now sadly a place of conflicts and humanitarian tragedies; in its profound beauty it is mare nostrum, the sea of all those peoples who border it, in order to be connected, not divided,” the pope declared. “Cyprus, as a geographic, historical, cultural and religious crossroads, is in a position to be a peacemaker. May it be a workshop of peace in the Mediterranean.”

“The European continent needs reconciliation and unity; it needs courage and enthusiasm, if it is to move forward,” Francis added. “For it will not be the walls of fear and the vetoes dictated by nationalist interests that ensure its progress, nor will economic recovery alone serve to guarantee its security and stability.”

“May we look to the history of Cyprus to see how encounter and welcome have brought forth good fruits that endure,” he said.

“This spirit of enlargement, this ability to look beyond one’s own borders, brings rejuvenation and makes possible the rediscovery of a brilliance that was lost,” he said.

On November 10, Cyprus announced it was submitting a request to the European Commission to suspend asylum applications for those who arrive in the country without the correct papers.

“A request will be submitted to the European Commission to take action in favor of the Republic of Cyprus, including granting it the right to suspend asylum applications by people entering the country illegally,” said government spokesperson Marios Pelekanos.

In 2019, Cyprus was the country with the highest number of asylum seekers in relation to its population, with most coming from Syria, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and constituting 4 percent of the total population.


Worshippers attend mass by Pope Francis at Nicosia’s main football stadium. Pope Francis spoke to thousands of Catholics at an open-air mass in Cyprus, the second day of a visit to the divided island that has focused heavily on the plight of migrants. (CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images)

On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, leading to the establishment of a separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north in 1983, a move condemned by the international community, which still considers the northern part of the island to be territory of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by Turkish forces.

Ever since then, Cyprus has been divided by a United Nations-controlled “green line” splitting the island into the Turkish-controlled Muslim north, and the Greek Cypriot Christian south, whose government is the only one recognized by the international community.

Since a majority of migrants and refugees arriving in Cyprus come from the north through Turkey, the Cypriot government considers their entries as “illegal crossings,” accusing Turkey of sending the migrants intentionally to destabilize the south.

In the past, Pope Francis has urged nations not to take in more migrants and refugees than it has the ability to integrate into society, warning that otherwise migrants risk becoming “ghettoized.”

Follow @tdwilliamsrome

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: National Catholic Reporter
Link: ncronline DOT org/vatican/vatican-news/france-pope-slams-alarmist-propaganda-fuels-fears-migrants

In France, pope slams 'alarmist propaganda' that fuels fears of migrants

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Francis calls for migrants to be integrated, not evicted.

Marseille, France — Pope Francis on Sept. 23 blasted those who seek to weaponize the issue of migration by "fueling people's fears" through "alarmist propaganda," and called for countries and individuals around the Mediterranean to reexamine both their policies and attitudes toward asylum seekers.

"Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome," the pope said on his second day here in the storied French port city, where he traveled to address a major summit on migration convened by Catholic bishops and young people from more than 30 countries.

Ahead of the pope's visit, a new wave of North African migrant arrivals in Italy earlier this month sparked a renewed debate in Europe over migration, with France — the pope's host country for this visit — refusing to take in any new arrivals.

During his first day here, on Sept. 22, the pope issued a blunt warning against what he described as the "fanaticism of indifference" toward the current crisis and said it was a duty to welcome the new migrants.

As the pope closed out the migration summit on Saturday, he attempted to offer a broad roadmap for the future, warning against being overwhelmed by momentary apprehension and to focus on long-term solutions.

"As for the emergency, the phenomenon of migration is not so much a short-term urgency, always good for fueling alarmist propaganda, but a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight," said the pope.

In an extensive 35-minute speech, the pope called on European countries to open their doors to people in need and to assimilate new arrivals into their society, especially through legal channels, while also enhancing their cooperation with the countries of origin of migrants.

"Merely crying 'enough!' is to close our eyes; attempting now to 'save ourselves' will turn into tragedy tomorrow," he warned. "Future generations will thank us if we were able to create the conditions for a necessary integration."

While the pope acknowledged that this is not a process without difficulties, he also said it is the only valid response for people who profess a commitment to human dignity.

Integration of migrants is key, said the pope, "not evicting them."

Prior to his arrival here in France, the pope faced fierce criticism from far-right politicians who said that the Argentine-born pope had no business weighing in on Europe's migration problem.

But in his remarks Saturday, Francis seemed to offer a thinly-veiled reply to those critics.

"This situation is not a novelty of recent years, and this pope who came from the other side of the world is not the first to warn of it with urgency and concern," the pope said to applause. "The church has been speaking about it in heartfelt tones for more than 50 years."

While French Catholics are sharply divided over migration — with some notable figures alleging that it presents a threat to French society and Western Civilization — Francis borrowed their own vocabulary to address those concerns head on.

"History is challenging us to make a leap of conscience in order to prevent a shipwreck of civilization," he said. "For the future will not lie in being closed, which is a return to the past, a turnaround in the journey of history."

And in a country where some conservative Catholics have lamented that the pope has spoken more often about migration than abortion or euthanasia — particularly as the current government is on the verge of considering legislation that would legalize physician assisted suicide — Francis sought to widen his appeal by illustrating the interconnectedness of these issues.

"Who listens to the groaning of our isolated elderly brothers and sisters, who, instead of being appreciated, are pushed aside, under the false pretenses of a supposedly dignified and 'sweet' death that is more 'salty' than the waters of the sea?'' the pope asked.

"Who thinks of the unborn children, rejected in the name of a false right to progress, which is instead a retreat into the selfish needs of the individual?" he continued. "Who looks with compassion beyond their own shores to hear the cry of pain rising from North Africa and the Middle East?"

"We need to start again," the pope pleaded, "from the often silent cry of the least among us, not from the more fortunate ones who have no need of help yet still raise their voices."

[…]

"The commitment of institutions alone is not enough, we need a jolt of conscience to say 'no' to lawlessness and 'yes' to solidarity, which is not a drop in the ocean, but the indispensable element for purifying its waters," Francis said.

Following his address, the pope will meet privately with Macron. He will then celebrate a Mass at Marseille's major soccer stadium that is expected to draw a crowd of over 50,000, prior to returning to Rome in the evening, where an in-flight press conference is expected.

[Jocose]

https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/170578 ... 39043?s=20

Pope Francis is now demanding that the West welcome in illegal migrants

Vatican City is 120 acres but only allows a few hundred residents. It is impossible for you to become a citizen. 100% of the population is Roman Catholic.

Not very diverse or inclusive.

[Del]

https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/170578 ... 39043?s=20

Pope Francis is now demanding that the West welcome in illegal migrants

Vatican City is 120 acres but only allows a few hundred residents. It is impossible for you to become a citizen. 100% of the population is Roman Catholic.

Not very diverse or inclusive.

But they hire Swiss mercenaries, so there's that.

[Del]

https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/170578 ... 39043?s=20

Pope Francis is now demanding that the West welcome in illegal migrants

Seriously, though.... The Pope is talking in FRANCE, possibly one of the most arrogantly xenophobic cultures in Western Europe. They are not welcoming like Americans. The right-wing press and popular mood there really does favor expelling all the immigrants from France.

Very different from the American enthusiasm for securing the border, getting all the families settled and Americanized, and suppressing crime and the cartels.
=========================

It's still difficult to get real news of Pope Francis from authentic Catholic sources. A guy has to go looking for it, on purpose.

National Catholic Report, as with any left-wing news source, writes long explainers for the express purpose of leaving important facts out of the story.

[Jocose]

https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/170578 ... 39043?s=20

Pope Francis is now demanding that the West welcome in illegal migrants

Seriously, though.... The Pope is talking in FRANCE, possibly one of the most arrogantly xenophobic cultures in Western Europe. They are not welcoming like Americans. The right-wing press and popular mood there really does favor expelling all the immigrants from France.

Very different from the American enthusiasm for securing the border, getting all the families settled and Americanized, and suppressing crime and the cartels.
=========================

It's still difficult to get real news of Pope Francis from authentic Catholic sources. A guy has to go looking for it, on purpose.

National Catholic Report, as with any left-wing news source, writes long explainers for the express purpose of leaving important facts out of the story.

https://x.com/RadioGenoa/status/1705839 ... 14096?s=20

Pope Francis has visions: "There is no immigrant invasion, it's just alarmist propaganda." Then there is reality. We remind you that the Vatican is protected by 17 meter walls and does not host any immigrants, Pope Francis wants immigrants but in our home, not in his home https://t.me/RadioGenoa

[Jocose]

https://x.com/Sprinter99800/status/1706 ... 50951?s=20

The Pope called for continued arming of the Kyiv regime

“The refusal to supply weapons will continue the torment of the Ukrainian people,” Francis said.

The Pope believes that Ukrainians are a “martyr people” because many countries provided weapons to Ukraine and are now taking them away.

[Del]

https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/170578 ... 39043?s=20

Pope Francis is now demanding that the West welcome in illegal migrants

Seriously, though.... The Pope is talking in FRANCE, possibly one of the most arrogantly xenophobic cultures in Western Europe. They are not welcoming like Americans. The right-wing press and popular mood there really does favor expelling all the immigrants from France.

Very different from the American enthusiasm for securing the border, getting all the families settled and Americanized, and suppressing crime and the cartels.
=========================

It's still difficult to get real news of Pope Francis from authentic Catholic sources. A guy has to go looking for it, on purpose.

National Catholic Reporter, as with any left-wing news source, writes long explainers for the express purpose of leaving important facts out of the story.

https://x.com/RadioGenoa/status/1705839 ... 14096?s=20

Pope Francis has visions: "There is no immigrant invasion, it's just alarmist propaganda." Then there is reality. We remind you that the Vatican is protected by 17 meter walls and does not host any immigrants, Pope Francis wants immigrants but in our home, not in his home https://t.me/RadioGenoa

First rule: Don't be stupid.

I've been to Vatican City. Vatican City is just 120 acres, or 0.19 sq mile. A bit less than 1/2 mile x 1/2 mile. About the size of the village park in the rural Missouri town that I grew up in. Much of that is a giant church, a giant museum, and offices and apartments for Vatican officials.

Vatican is always open, welcoming and full of international pilgrims and visitors. It is surrounded by a medieval castle wall, but that wall is a museum -- not a barrier to keep out immigrants. There are no high rise apartment buildings, no jobs, and no facilities for housing or feeding or employing thousands of migrants.

It's just stupid to say that Pope Francis isn't doing his part to care for immigrants in his country. He simply can't give what he doesn't have.

During WW2, Pope Pius saved 15,000 Jews by hiding them in the Vatican and smuggling them out of Nazi-controlled Italy. At any given time, he might have been sheltering a few hundred persons. That's what the Vatican can handle.
======================================

Pope Francis is asking Europe to do what right-thinking Americans wants to do: Control your borders, but have a generous immigration policy. Welcome immigrants, and help them to settle and assimilate and make homes for their families.

In Europe, there are ultra-right political parties that want to expel everyone who isn't ethnically French, or English, or German, etc. These extreme views are as anti-Christian as those of American Catholic Democrats who support abortion. Unfortunately, extreme xenophobic policies are just as popular in Europe as abortion is accepted by Americans.

And it doesn't help that the ruling elites in Europe are often as evil as Biden, failing to maintain justice in their lax immigration policies. So pirates, gangsters, cartels and terrorists set the policy, and the migrant families end up in lawless ghettos.