Pope Francis says migrants 'do not invade' Europe in Marseille speech

Pope Francis participates in the final session of the Mediterranean Meetings, bringing together bishops and young people from North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe at the Palais du Pharo in the southern port city of Marseille on September 23, 2023. © Andreas Solaro, AFP

Pope Francis on Saturday hammered home his message that European governments must do more to care for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, saying "those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome".

Closing a meeting of bishops and young people from around the Mediterranean in the French port city of Marseille, he added that migration is "a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight, including a European response".