Pope thanks groups that rescue migrants in EU critique

Pope Francis thanked aid groups that rescue migrants at sea on Friday and denounced the “sterile hypocrisy” of governments that turn a blind eye to people seeking security and dignified lives.

In a direct critique of policies in parts of Europe and the United States, Francis celebrated a special Mass for migrants and the activists who care for them. The intimate service in St. Peter’s Basilica was held as Italy, the U.S. and other countries increasingly close their doors, ports and borders to asylum-seekers.

“Before the challenges of contemporary movements of migration, the only reasonable response is one of solidarity and mercy,” the pope said.

The Mass marked the fifth anniversary of Francis’ landmark visit to Lampedusa, the Sicilian island that for years was the primary destination of migrants smuggled from Libya to Europe. During the trip, Francis’ first outside Rome after his 2013 election, the new pope denounced the “globalization of indifference” that the world showed migrants fleeing war, poverty and climateinduced natural disasters.

In the years since, and especially in recent months, some governments have adopted tough anti-migrant policies that fly in the face of Francis’ oft-repeated call for governments to open their hearts and doors to those in need.

Italy and Malta, in particular, have closed their ports to aid groups operating migrant rescue boats in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Trump administration imposed a now-abandoned policy to separate children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Francis didn’t name any countries in his homily, but he said every country must consider if the responsibility for welcoming migrants is being shared equitably.

Referring to the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, Francis denounced the “sterile hypocrisy of those who do not want to dirty their hands” by caring for the weakest and most marginalized members of society.