Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                 Pope Says Deeply Troubled by Migrants' Plight

   by VOA News

   Pope Francis said Sunday the plight of migrants seeking to escape war
   and poverty in North Africa and the Middle East brings tears to his
   eyes.

   Francis spoke to a group of laborers in the Italian city of Turin while
   European Union ministers haggle over who is to take care of more
   100,000 refugees who have arrived on European shores via Italy since
   January.

   The pope denounced what he said is a system that treats people like
   "merchandise," and said the refugees should not be blamed for trying to
   get jobs.

   "If immigration increases competition, they cannot be blamed because
   they are the victims of inequality, of this throwaway economy, and the
   wars."

   Francis also heaped strong criticism on arms manufacturers and those
   who invest in such companies, calling them hypocrites for claiming to
   be Christians.

   Reaching back into history, Pope Francis condemned world powers for
   doing nothing to stop the massacre of Armenians in the First World War
   and taking little action during the Nazi Holocaust in World War II.

   "The great powers had photographs of the railways that brought trains
   to the concentration camps, to Auschwitz, to kill Jews, Christians,
   Gypsies, homosexuals," Francis said. "But tell me why didn't they bomb
   them? The great powers...divided Europe like a cake."

   Francis also prayed before the renowned Shroud of Turin - a piece of
   ancient cloth bearing what believers say is the image of Jesus Christ.
   Some say the cloth was his burial shroud. Others call it a fake.

   Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has earned a reputation as an
   outspoken religious leader, frequently taking up subjects rarely
   addressed by other prominent figures.

   Last week, he demanded action to fight global warming, accusing
   industrialized countries of exploiting the poor while turning the
   planet into "an immense pile of filth."

   He has also called for more tolerance toward homosexuals and blasted
   what he has descried as unbridled capitalism.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-turin-migrants/2831951.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-turin-migrants/2831951.html