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France 24
France 24
World
Douglas HERBERT

A 'fanaticism of indifference': Is a divided EU deaf to pope's plea to welcome migrants?

TALKING EUROPE © FRANCE 24

"Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome." With these words, Pope Francis admonished Europe for failing to treat migrants with dignity. Speaking during his recent visit to the melting-pot French Mediterranean city of Marseille, the pontiff lamented what he called a "fanaticism of indifference" at a time when Europe has been seeing a sharp increase in migrant arrivals. Some 8,500 people landed on Italy's southern island of Lampedusa over just three days in September.

Read moreA decade after Lampedusa boat tragedy, Mediterranean remains world's deadliest migrant route

The head of the Catholic Church urged Europeans to cooperate more, and provide more legal routes to entry for migrants. He also called for better integration. An EU migration and asylum pact, three years in the making, aims to address these challenges. But across Europe, populist calls to crack down on illegal migrants are drowning out calls to welcome them. So is the pope's message destined to fall on deaf ears? We discuss the issue with two MEPs.

This debate was recorded on September 26, 2023.

Produced by Perrine Desplats, Sophie Samaille and Isabelle Romero

The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.

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